IvIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



GEORGE WASHINGTO 



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LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 



LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Translated from the German by 
GEORGE P. UPTON 



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EORGE fF J SUING TON 



Life Stories for Young People 



GEORGE \yASHINGTON 

Translated from the German of 
Ferdinand Schmidt 



BY 

GEORGE P. UPTON 

Translator of " Memories,'' "Immensee,'' etc. 
WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS 




CHICAGO 

A. C. McCLURG y CO. 

1911 



El-Si's 



Copyright 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 

1911 

Published September, 1911 



THE • PLIMPTON • PRESS 

[ W • D • O ] 
NORWOOD • MASS • U • S • A 



©CLA2G5757 
V 



Cransiator*0 preface 



AMONG all the numerous life stories written 
by Ferdinand Schmidt for the delectation 
and education of German youth, none sur- 
passes that of Washington. The author 
has condensed his material, drawn from the most 
authoritative sources, in a masterly manner, and pre- 
sents it in a very attractive form. He has accom- 
panied it by moralization which is pertinent, but 
never becomes tedious. It is questionable, indeed, 
whether any story of Washington's life written for 
young people excels Schmidt's in accuracy, concise- 
ness, and general interest. As such this sketch of the 
Father of his Country from a German point of view is 
commended to American youth. 

G. P. U. 

Chicago, May, 191 1 



[v] 



Contents 



Chapter Page 

I Boyhood ii 

II The Surveyor 25 

III Three Years in the Wilderness . . 32 

IV The Ambassador 38 

V Washington's First Battles ... 45 

VI A Year of Peace 54 

VII Quarrel with the Mother Country . 68 

VIII A Trial of Arms 78 

IX Washington Chosen Commander-in- 
Chief ... 82 

X Washington Before Boston .... 86 

XI The Declaration of Independence ' . 93 

XII Trying Times 98 

XIII Washington Crosses the Delaware . 106 

XIV Lafayette — Kosciuszko — Steuben . 113 
XV Peace is Declared 120 

[vii] 



CONTENTS 

Chapter Page 

XVI Washington's Farewell to the Army 126 

XVII Last Days 135 

XVIII Blest be His Memory 142 

Appendix 145 



viii] 



3llus;tration2f 



Page 

jeorge Washington .... Frontispiece 

Washington among the Indians 34 

kVashington Crossing the Delaware .... 108' 

Washington as Proprietor 134^ 



[ix] 



George Wias))inston 



Chapter I 
Boyhood 



THE contemplation of the wonders of the uni- 
verse is always inspiring and uplifting — the 
crystalline purity of the sky, the splendor 
of the sunrise and sunset, the grandeur of 
the starry night, the fragrant forest, the smiling land- 
scape, the tree, the flower, the boundless ocean, and 
all the countless manifestations of nature. But how 
much greater our admiration and inspiration when 
we reverently contemplate the progress of a noble 
human soul toward ever higher and higher planes of 
perfection! Some of the good seed which it scat- 
ters may take root in our minds to strengthen and 
develop the best that is in us. We perceive the 
possibilities of the race and what we may ourselves 
become if the will to strive keeps pace with a love 
for what is good. 

In ancient times thoughtful people compared 
great and good souls to the stars. They rise in the 

[II] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

spiritual firmament with a pure radiance and, ever 
anew breaking through the mists and clouds which 
obscure them, remain visible to later generations. 
Thus they become guiding stars for struggling human 
beings here below. The particular star which the 
reader who has the wisdom and the inclination to 
perfect himself is invited to study in these pages 
arose in the forests of Virginia on the twenty- 
second of February, 1732. It was there that little 
George first opened his eyes and looked out 
upon a world in which he was to play so great a 
part. There his negro mammy sat with him on the 
bench before the door, throwing crumbs to the tur- 
keys and pigeons to amuse him, and there, under 
the rustling trees, he whittled his first horse out of 
hazelwood. 

George's father, Augustine Washington, was a 
planter of English extraction. His first ancestor 
had emigrated from England when North America 
was still the undisputed property of the Indians. 
The territory which later became the United States 
is almost as large as the continent of Europe. Two 
hundred years ago the whole country was a trackless 
forest, broken only by enormous morasses, cane- 
brakes, and savannas or grassy prairies. In the 
prosperous plantation house on the east bank of 
the Rappahannock in which George was born, piety, 
industry, and probity had made their habitation. 
That was the first blessing with which heaven 
dowered the boy. Of course, living in a pure and 

[IZ] 



BOYHOOD 



healthy moral atmosphere is not in itself all that is 
required to guide a youth into paths of rectitude; 
the will to do the right and the continual struggle 
to attain it can alone accomplish the greater part. 
Reprobates have sometimes come out of the best 
environments. The voice of conscience is awakened 
very early in the human breast and we soon know 
right from wrong. However, it is a great boon and 
a wonderful help to be surrounded by people who are 
examples of virtue in word and deed, and he who 
strays^ into the paths of sin in spite of such sur- 
roundings is doubly to be censured. 

At that time the English immigrants lived scat- 
tered in the forest, but neighbors had already 
formed themselves into parishes and founded schools 
and churches. The schools were of course of a very 
simple type, nothing but reading, writing, and arith- 
metic being taught. Most of the settlers found 
this quite sufficient for their children and rich 
planters sent their sons to England to be educated. 
Lawrence Washington, George's eldest step-brother, 
enjoyed these advantages. He was fourteen years 
older than George, who was a babe in arms when 
Lawrence set out on his first voyage to England, so 
that he could not remember his step-brother. When 
George was eight years old, Lawrence, now in his 
twenty-second year, returned. The arrival of the 
well-educated and well-bred young gentleman was a 
welcome event in the family circle, and George loved 
him from the first moment. Their affection was mu- 

[13] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

tual, and indeed Lawrence showed a truly paternal 
interest in the bright, alert boy. 

Their father had no intention of sending another 
son abroad. He looked upon Lawrence as the 
natural head of the family after his death and was 
satisfied that his probable successor had received a 
liberal education. Accordingly George was sent to 
the parish school. He applied himself eagerly to 
his tasks and thus laid a firm foundation, at least, for 
the studies which he afterward prosecuted by him- 
self. One trait of his character showed itself very 
early — he did all his work with the greatest con- 
scientiousness and neatness. Not a stroke of his 
pen betrayed carelessness. Some of his school books, 
which have been preserved, bear witness to this. 
He showed the same care when any work about the 
house was required of him. He endeavored to do 
whatever he had to do, however insignificant it was 
or might seem to be, as perfectly as possible. Of 
course he was not capable of appreciating at that 
time how important this was in the development 
of his character. It was simply his early awakened 
sense of duty, reinforced by his earnest efforts to 
practise what he knew to be right. It was not until 
later that he realized the deeper significance of 
work as a means of strengthening the powers of the 
soul. There is no kind of work which may not be 
either well or ill done. If you put all your capabili- 
ties into it, and the result is more or less satisfactory, 
you have accomplished even more than the success 

[14] 



BOYHOOD 



of the moment; you have been working for the 
growth of your inner self. For one who realizes this, 
the greatest drudgery has lost its sting. George 
was just as conscientious in everything which per- 
tained to morals. He had a passionate disposition, 
but we learn that early in life he strove to curb his 
hasty temper by exercising deliberation and will 
power. It was therefore customary, among his 
school-fellows, when disagreements arose, to take 
them to him, and his verdict was generally accepted, 
for they knew that he was willing to acknowledge 
himself in the wrong when his fiery temper had 
carried him away. It was justice and not the per- 
son that had weight with him. 

Another of his qualities, military talent, was early 
recognizable. It was an inheritance. There had 
been warriors among his ancestors, men of note, 
of whom English chronicles tell us. Several of 
these had so distinguished themselves as to have 
been knighted. George's brother Lawrence was 
of a like temper, and it now happened that he 
had an opportunity of becoming a soldier. British 
commerce in the West Indies had suffered heavy 
losses through piratical attacks by Spain and the 
English government determined to avenge itself. A 
fleet was fitted out, and as England was the mother 
country of the Virginians, the recruiting drum was 
heard in the colony also. Lawrence volunteered 
and was given a captain's commission. It was no 
wonder that there was considerable excitement over 

[IS] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

all this in the home of the Washingtons. George 
took the liveliest interest in his brother's equipment. 
He thought it very proper that the robbers, of whom 
he had heard many dreadful stories, should be pun- 
ished, and gazed at his brother's bright sword with 
delight and respect. He vowed that he too would 
sometime help to right the wrongs of his injured 
countrymen in time of need. He was told many 
tales of his valiant ancestors. It is no wonder then 
that the picture of his brother as he had left home, 
in his war trappings, was constantly in his mind; nor 
that he begged for his letters, after his father had 
read them to the assembled family, to pore over them, 
especially when they had something to tell of the 
soldier's adventures. 

All these exciting experiences which filled his mind 
soon manifested themselves in his play. In place 
of ball and games of a like nature, war became 
the great game. His comrades were divided into 
companies. He sketched plans of battles, which 
were carried out. He determined the arms they 
were to use and held reviews. It never occurred to 
any of his little comrades to dispute with him the 
rank which he had bestowed upon himself. These 
occupations were also, although neither he nor any 
one else suspected it, more or less of a prepara- 
tion for his after life. Just as he had before this 
been the legislator for his little circle, he was now 
the military chieftain. But even when playing at 
soldier, the peculiarity of his character, which led 

[i6] 



BOYHOOD 



him to carry out everything he undertook with 
the greatest thoroughness, was apparent. He knew 
what accompHshments a soldier must strive to ac- 
quire, and now we see him practising these exercises 
with unflagging zeal, with the object of making his 
body strong and supple — such as running, leaping, 
wrestling, tossing bars, and the like. The leader of 
the little band strove to be, in reality, the first and 
foremost, and wished to live up to his title. 

After taking part in the siege of Carthagena in 
the West Indies, Lawrence returned home. One 
can imagine with what interest George listened to 
his brother's recitals! What Lawrence learned of 
George's military exercises and play confirmed him 
in a plan which he had long ago formed and which 
had George's hearty approval. He proposed to his 
parents that as soon as George should have reached 
his fourteenth year, the boy should be allowed to 
enter the English service as a naval cadet, and the 
carrying out of the plan was actually considered. 
Lawrence himself intended to return to his regiment 
to seek advancement in the army, but never did so. 
Instead, he fell in love with the daughter of a rich 
planter, William Fairfax. His advances were ac- 
cepted and an engagement took place. His father 
was very much pleased to have his son enter into an 
alliance with the rich and highly esteemed house of 
Fairfax, but was not fortunate enough to live to see 
the wedding. 

George was eleven years old when he stood at the 

[17] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

grave of his excellent father. The deceased left 
considerable property, so that his children from both 
marriages were well provided for. Lawrence received 
an estate on the banks of the Potomac, where he 
took his young bride a few months later. Accord- 
ing to the terms of the will, no guardian was appointed 
for the younger children, but they were left in charge 
of their mother — a proof of the confidence the 
deceased had reposed in her. She was worthy of it. 
Irving says of her: "She was endowed with plain, 
direct good sense, thorough conscientiousness, and 
prompt decision; she governed her family strictly, 
but kindly, exacting deference, while she inspired 
aifection." She was Washington's second wife, 
and George, her first-born, was her favorite. In 
spite of this, or rather because of it, she was very 
strict with him, where she deemed it necessary to 
protect him from excesses, and her faithful care 
was rewarded. At that time Sir Matthew Hale's 
"Contemplations, Moral and Divine" was held in 
great esteem among the educated English colonists 
of Virginia. It was the mother's favorite book, from 
which she not only drew strength and consolation for 
herself, but from which she also read aloud to her 
children. Her friends often found her thus occupied. 
She not only showed great insight in the selections 
which she made, but the deep spiritual feeling with 
which she read aloud from this and sometimes from 
other writings made a deep impression on her young 
hearers. Her enthusiasm was communicated to her 
[i8] 



BOYHOOD 



children, and as the whole life and doings of the 
household were pervaded by a spirit of moral earnest- 
ness, these impressions received by the young minds 
were not easily effaced, but rather were confirmed. 
The copy of the above-mentioned work, in which 
the name of ''Mary W." is written by his mother's 
own hand, remained a valued memento in George's 
possession all his life, and he often declared that the 
precepts which it contained, expounded by the soulful 
voice of the mother, striving for the improvement 
of her children, had had a decisive influence on his 
whole life. The book is still preserved in the archives 
of Mount Vernon. 

George continued his school and home studies 
with unabated industry. It was not necessary to 
urge him on, but rather to warn him not to go too 
far in his zeal. He was filled with an ardent desire 
to acquire fresh insight, knowledge, and skill in some- 
thing each day of his life. It was a true "thirst for 
knowledge. " Somewhat farther away than his first 
teacher. Hobby, lived another, named Williams, 
who widened the horizon of his schooling a little and 
to whom he now went to learn something of com- 
mercial bookkeeping. Although it was a dry subject, 
George made astonishingly rapid progress, inspired 
by the determination to acquire it as quickly as 
possible. In the realms of knowledge and skill he 
played the role of conqueror; mind, will, and memory 
were his weapons, which became sharper and more 
highly polished the more he used them. Careless 

[19] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

and lazy school comrades appeared contemptible 
creatures to him. At this time he collected examples 
of all kinds of documents used in business and daily- 
affairs. One of his collections bears the title 
"Written Extracts," and we find among them pre- 
scriptions, checks, receipts, affidavits, forms of 
resignation, titles to property, leases, contracts, and 
wills. All these were copied with great care, the 
important words written in larger letters so that 
they were easily to be distinguished. 

George had also made great progress in athletic 
attainments. He had been diligently practising the 
exercises of which we have spoken ever since it had 
been decided to let him enter the English service as 
a naval cadet. He considered it a matter of course 
that a future soldier must employ himself systemat- 
ically in strengthening his muscles and acquiring 
the greatest possible dexterity. The place is still 
shown, in the neighborhood of his father's property, 
where George threw a stone across the Rappahan- 
nock. He was also a fine horseman; on one occasion 
he mounted an unmanageable horse, to the astonish- 
ment of all onlookers, and was able to control it. 
In the meanwhile Lawrence had taken the necessary 
steps for his brother's entrance into the English navy. 
A midshipman's warrant was obtained and his lug- 
gage was packed. But at the last moment his 
mother, after carefully reconsidering the matter, 
resolved not to let her son go out into the world so 
early. It was not a mother's weakness that led her 

[20] 



BOYHOOD 



to this determination. She had heard so much about 
the roughness of a seaman's life it is scarcely to be 
wondered at that she recoiled from a plan which 
meant removing her son completely from his mother's 
influence and cutting him off from the help and advice 
of his relatives. His love and the respect which he 
had for her opinions helped to soften the disappoint- 
ment; later he was able to thank her for having, at 
that time especially, taken his destiny under such 
careful and earnest consideration. 

Before we follow his life history any further, let 
us notice a practice of his in early life. He kept a 
diary in which he noted everything that aroused his 
interest. Besides this, he recorded significant ideas 
or thoughts which he found in books or heard from 
the lips of wise or experienced persons. It would 
be a very good thing for our young readers to follow 
his example in this. A portion of his diary bears 
the superscription: "Rules for Behavior in Company 
and Conversation." Among them are some impor- 
tant truths and some of lesser significance. A 
number of extracts are given as they characterize 
George's aspirations so well, and also in the hope 
that some readers may m.ake a selection from 
among them and — this is only a suggestion — with 
it begin a diary of their own. Here are a few 
examples: 

Every action in company ought to be with some sign 
of respect to those present. 



[21] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a 
humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet. 

Speak not when others speak, sit not when others stand, 
and walk not when others stop. 

Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; 
jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; 
lean not on any one. 

They that are in dignity or oifice have in all places prece- 
dence; but whilst they are young, they ought to respect 
those who are their equals in birth, or other qualities, 
though they have no public charge. 

It is good manners to prefer those to whom we speak 
before ourselves, especially if they be above us, with whom, 
in no sort, we ought to begin. 

Let your discourse with men of business be short and 
comprehensive. 

In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician, 
if you be not knowing therein. 

Undertake not to teach your equal in the art he him- 
self professes; it savors of arrogancy. 

Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether 
it ought to be in public or in private, presently or at some 
other time, also in what terms to do it; and in reproving, 
show no signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and 
mildness. 

Mock not, nor jest at anything of importance; break 
no jests that are sharp or biting and if you deliver anything 
witty or pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself. 

Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable yourself, 
for example is more prevalent than precept. 
[22] 



BOYHOOD 



Use no reproachful language against any one, neither 
curses nor revilings. 

Be not hasty to believe flying reports, to the disparage- 
ment of any one. 

In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommo- 
date nature rather than procure admiration. Keep to 
the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly, 
with respect to time and place. 

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you 
esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone 
than in bad company. 

Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for 
It is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature, and 
In all causes of passion admit reason to govern. 

Be not forward, but friendly and courteous, the first 
to salute, hear, and answer, and be not pensive when it Is 
a time to converse. 

If two contend together, take not the part of either 
unconstrained, and be not obstinate In your opinion; In 
things indifferent be of the major side. 

Reprehend not the imperfections of others, for that 
belongs to parents, masters, and superiors. 

Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor 
bring out your words too hastily, but o^-derly and distinctly. 

When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb 
not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him 
not, nor prompt him without being desired; interrupt 
him not, nor amswer him till his speech be ended. 

Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth 
thereof. 

[23] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

When you deliver a matter, do it without passion and 
indiscretion, however mean the person may be you do it to. 

When your superiors talk to anybody, hear them, neither 
speak nor laugh. 

Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions 
nor repeat often the same matter of discourse. 

Be not angry at table, whatever happens, and if you have 
reason to be so, show it not, put on a cheerful countenance, 
especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one 
dish a feast. 

When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be 
seriously, in reverence and honor, and obey your natural 
parents. 

Let your recreation be manful, not sinful. 

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of 
celestial fire called conscience. 



[24I 



Chapter II 
The Surveyor 



AFTER the plan of allowing him to enter the 
English service as a naval cadet had been 
abandoned, George continued his attendance 
at school with the intention of preparing 
himself to become a surveyor. Until the comple- 
tion of his fifteenth year he applied himself to 
these studies, principally geometry and trigonometry. 
During his last Summer at school he made surveys 
of the fields and meadows belonging to the school- 
house, and also of the neighboring plantations. 
This business, which was only practice for him, he 
carried on as conscientiously as though he were 
obliged to take an oath as to its accuracy. Every 
detail pertaining to it, such as drawings, calculations, 
and references, were carefully put on paper. There 
was not an inserted word nor a blot to be seen. If 
he did make a mistake, he would erase it so cleverly 
that it could be discovered only on the closest inspec- 
tion. One could see that it was a law of his being 
to do everything with the greatest neatness. But 
he was just as particular with regard to order and 
oversight. Irving says of him: "Nothing was left 

[25] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

half done, or done in a hurried and slovenly manner. 
The habit of mind thus cultivated continued through- 
out life; so that, however complicated his tasks and 
overwhelming his cares, in the arduous and hazardous 
situations in which he was often placed, he found 
time to do everything and to do it well. He had 
acquired the magic of method, which of itself works 
wonders." His education was very limited outside 
of mathematics. Probably he did not learn even 
the simplest rules of grammar in school. We may 
infer this from his notebooks of that period, in which 
grammatical mistakes often occur. But even in 
grammar he made himself a master, when once he 
had fixed his attention upon it. Careful considera- 
tion and comparisons, with attentive reading of 
masterpieces of literature, was a training which en- 
abled him later to express himself in pure and cor- 
rect language, both in speaking and writing, and the 
reader will see from examples which we shall give 
that Washington became a master of style. But 
study alone could not have made purity, sincerity, 
and directness the most prominent characteristics 
of his writings. His literary style was the mirror of 
his character. 

He appreciated his good fortune in having family 
connections which gave him the entree into several 
cultivated family circles. His brother Lawrence 
was happily married, living in comfortable circum- 
stances on his estate at Mount Vernon, and George 
was often there. A few miles away was Belvoir, the 

[261 



THE SURVEYOR 



large property of Lawrence's father-in-law^ the above- 
mentioned William Fairfax. This man had passed 
an eventful life. He was born in England, entered 
the army early, took part in several campaigns, 
and was later appointed by the English government 
governor and chief justice of an island of the East 
Indies. He had now been living in Virginia for 
several years, where, for a long time, he had been 
president of the royal council of the colonies. The 
home of this experienced and kindly man, where 
there was a number of amiable and well-educated 
sons and daughters, was also open to George. Hav- 
ing his eyes and ears open for all that was improving, 
George learned many things at Belvoir. He also 
became acquainted there with an important and at 
the same time interesting personage — a nobleman 
of the same name from England, a cousin of William 
Fairfax, and therefore, since the marriage of George's 
step-brother, a sort of relative of his. This Lord 
Fairfax was a man nearly sixty years old, over six 
feet tall, gaunt and rawboned, with light gray eyes, 
sharp features, and an aquiline nose. In England 
he had distinguished himself equally in the use of the 
sword and the pen. Through his marriage he ac- 
quired boundless territories, so to speak, in Virginia 
— the whole region between the Rappahannock and 
Potomac Rivers, which later was found to extend 
into the Allegheny Mountains. By the desire of 
Lord Fairfax his cousin William had hitherto man- 
aged the property, and Lord Fairfax had only 

[27] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

recently arrived in Virginia to become acquainted 
for the first time with his truly princely domain. 
It was a wilderness, but what a wilderness! 

Let us take the opportunity of saying a word 
about Virginia. ' The Allegheny Mountains divide 
the State into three regions: the mountainous and 
romantic one, with the celebrated Natural Bridge, 
where Cedar Creek dashes along between perpendicu- 
lar walls of stone 250 feet below the rock arch; 
that portion farther eastward with a sandy, marshy, 
flat coast; and the arable, rolling, western portion 
bounded by the Ohio River. In the greater part of 
it the soil is truly luxuriant. There is fine grazing 
for sheep, as well as cattle. One sees maples, oaks, 
plantains, nut and tulip trees, lindens, elms, ash, 
magnolia, chestnut, cherry, and plum trees over- 
grown with wild grape and other vines in the beauti- 
ful forests, and there is no lack of fish and game. 

Lord Fairfax had not dreamed that Virginia could 
be so beautiful; and how delightful the task of re- 
claiming a section of this virgin soil in the midst of 
the primeval forest seemed to him! How empty 
and purposeless the pleasures of the city compared 
with the delights of life and labor in the cultivation 
of the wilderness! He was never tired of admiring 
the estate of his cousin. He no doubt had the same 
feelings as Chateaubriand under the same circum- 
stances, to which he has given utterance in the 
following words: "What a fascinating mixture of 
social and natural life reigned there! By the side of 

[28] 



THE SURVEYOR 



a cypress wood, charming residue of the impenetrable 
wilderness, was a nascent vegetation; ears of corn 
trembled in golden waves around the roots of a 
fallen oak; full sheaves, daughters of a single Sum- 
mer, stood upon the site of the ancient forest; thick 
columns of smoke rose from the burning woods and 
floated away over the fertile fields, while the plough 
slowly cut its way through the roots of the ancient 
trees. Surveyors were carefully staking out the 
boundaries of the new estate; the wild birds had 
deserted their nests, the dens of wild beasts were 
converted into roomy cabins, and every blow of the 
woodman's axe was a prophecy of the blessings which 
were soon to rest upon these fields." 

So the venerable but still vigorous Lord Fairfax 
resolved to settle down in the neighborhood and 
never to return to England. For a time he lived at 
Belvoir on the estate of his cousin. We must not 
conceal the fact that in spite of his enthusiasm for 
a planter's life, Lord Fairfax had not forgotten to 
inquire whether the fox was a native of the American 
forests. He was passionately fond of fox hunting, 
and if his question had not received a favorable 
answer, it is more than likely that his newly awakened 
love for America would soon have waned. However, 
foxes were very numerous amongst the forest ani- 
mals of this region, a circumstance which lent fresh 
charm to the country. But there was still another 
consideration. On a fox hunt one must have at 
least one companion; but where should he find a 

[291 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

horseman who could in some degree compare with 
the former dashing cavalry officer, especially in this 
hilly region, covered with thickets which had never 
been penetrated by a human being? The reader 
may perhaps, ere this, have had an inkling that our 
George may have been a most welcome hunting 
companion for the grizzled lover of the hunt. And 
it was so. Lord Fairfax kept horses and dogs in 
the English style, and when the hunting season began 
George rode out into the woods with him every 
morning, and they seldom returned without trophies. 
The nobleman had seen but a small portion of his 
extensive Virginia estate, neither had he any inten- 
tion of riding through the wilderness to inspect 
it all, but he determined to have it surveyed, 
especially as he learned that people had already 
settled on certain portions of it without having any 
right to do so. Therefore he considered it very 
necessary to have it surveyed, so that in future the 
relations of settler to proprietor might be regulated 
according to law. Thus he was anxious to find a 
capable person to undertake the business. Whoever 
did so must, besides having a knowledge of the busi- 
ness, be conscientious and reliable, and must possess 
not a little courage. The matter was thoroughly 
discussed by Lord Fairfax, William Fairfax, and 
Lawrence Washington. The latter was able to show 
calculations and surveys which George had made 
shortly before this on his own property. The result 
of the conference was that Lord Fairfax felt perfect 

[30] 



THE SURVEYOR 



security in confiding the survey to our George, who 
had just completed his sixteenth year. He had taken 
it for granted that George would not refuse, and 
he was not mistaken. It is evident that the com- 
mission was very flattering to George, and that the 
execution of it was calculated to perfect him in his 
profession. In addition to this he was to receive 
a considerable sum of money for the work which he 
would have been glad to do for its own sake. His 
diary tells us that he was to receive a doubloon for 
every full day's work, which is about $7.50 in our 
money. He first went home to get his mother's 
permission to undertake the business. Every ambi- 
tious youth will appreciate what his feelings were, 
how his heart glowed at the thought of telling his 
mother of this honor which had befallen him and 
which was to be, in every way, so profitable. 



[31 



Chapter III 

Three Tears in the Wilderness 



YOUNG Washington was tall and of athletic 
build, which, together with his manner, made 
him seem older than he was. It did not occur 
to any one to treat the sixteen-year-old youth 
like a boy. His principal qualities were earnestness, 
decision, candor, and modesty. In the Spring of 1748 
he set out on his surveying expedition, accompanied 
by the twenty-two-year-old George, son of William 
Fairfax, and a negro, all three on horseback. At that 
time the beautiful chain of the Blue Ridge Moun- 
tains formed the western boundary of inhabited 
Virginia. The little party was obliged to traverse 
these in order to reach the territory which they were 
to survey. The tops of the mountains were still 
covered with snow and ice, while Spring had already 
sown the valleys with flowers. They had to ride 
over rocky passes and through thickets to reach 
their destination. The greatest difficulty they en- 
countered was in crossing the mountain torrents, 
swollen by the melting snows, but courage and 
resourcefulness helped them to surmount all obstacles. 
Crossing a pass, they at last reached the chief valley 

[32] 



IN THE WILDERNESS 

of Virginia, which is nearly twenty-five miles broad 
and very beautiful. The clear river which flows 
through it was called "The Daughter of the Stars" 
by the Indians, because of its loveliness. 

George outdid himself in glowing descriptions of 
the region in his diary, but from the moment when 
real work began there is not a trace of such descrip- 
tions to be found in the book. From that time he 
lived only for his work. As it was seldom that the 
little company chanced upon the hut of a squatter, 
George and his companions spent most of their 
nights around a campfire in the forest. Their food 
consisted, for the most part, of wild turkeys. A 
fork-shaped stick was the spit and a chip of wood 
the plate. Of course George had to expect and be 
prepared to meet with Indians, so that he and his 
companions had armed themselves. It was natural 
that the Indians should not be very friendly to the 
settlers. They looked upon the country as their 
property and upon the white squatters as interlopers 
and robbers. There was much cruelty practised on 
both sides. Fairly considered, one must admit that 
the Indians had shown themselves incapable of any 
kind of communal development, and it would have 
been a pity for such an enormous territory, immensely 
rich in some portions, to have remained in the sole 
possession of a race which was incapable of civili- 
zation and which probably never numbered over 
one hundred thousand people. In contrast to the 
Indians, the increase of the Europeans was extraor- 

[33] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

dinary. In his own peculiar but essentially just 
manner, this was once commented upon by an Indian 
chief, called by the Americans "Little Turtle," in 
a speech to the whites. It is a strange and incom- 
prehensible thing about the white people. Scarcely 
two generations have passed since you set foot on 
our soil, and already you cover it like a swarm of 
insects, while we aborigines, who have lived here no 
one knows how long, are almost as few in number 
as the deer which we hunt. To^be sure, you pale- 
faces know how to make use of a piece not much 
bigger than my hand. On a patch only fifteen or 
twenty times as great as this room, a white man will 
raise enough food to keep him for a full year. He 
takes another bit of land grown with grass and herbs 
and raises his cattle upon it, which supply him with 
milk and meat. We red men, on the contrary, need 
immense territories, for the deer which we kill and 
which scarce provides us with food for two days, 
needs a great region in which to attain its proper 
growth. And when we have killed two or three 
hundred deer, it is the same as though we had de- 
stroyed all the grass and woods on which they sub- 
sisted. The white men spread out like oil on a 
blanket, while we melt away like snow in the spring 
sunshine, and if we do not soon adopt new ways, 
it will be impossible for the race of red men long 
to survive. But the Indians showed themselves 
incapable of learning "new ways." 

George, who had seen no Indians heretofore, met 

[34] 



^ 




IN THE WILDERNESS 

a band of about thirty warriors one day. One of 
them carried the scalp of an enemy, as a pennant, 
in front of the procession. It would have gone hard 
with the little company if the Indians had attacked 
them, which would no doubt have happened if they 
had shown any signs of fear. A small present of 
liquor procured them the spectacle of a war dance. 
The Indians kindled a fire in the midst of an open 
space and seated themselves in a circle around it. 
Then the chief began to extol their deeds of valor, 
his voice and gestures becoming more and more 
animated. The warriors sat with bowed heads, as 
in a dream. Suddenly, as though awakened by the 
glowing description of their heroic deeds, a warrior 
sprang up and began a curious, wild dance. One 
after another followed his example, until most of 
them were leaping about the blazing fire, emitting 
frightful cries and seeming more like demons than 
human beings. Music was not lacking for this 
spectacle. One savage drummed on a deerskin, 
which was stretched over a kettle half filled with 
water, and another played upon an instrument 
made of a hollow gourd, which contained a number 
of pieces of shot and was decorated with a horse's 
tail. 

The survey was completed and in little more than 
a month's time George arrived at Mount Vernon, 
where he gave an account of his work to Lord Fair- 
fax and received the acknowledgment of his com- 
plete satisfaction. Young Washington had, with 

[35] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

the accomplishment of this piece of work, taken his 
diploma, so to speak, as a surveyor. His reputation 
was established, and before he was seventeen he 
received the appointment as public surveyor, and 
his work, from this time, was officially accepted 
by the public authorities of Virginia. He received 
orders from many quarters and for three years 
devoted himself to his growing business. We may 
know how conscientiously he did his work from the 
fact that down to this day, in Virginia, the sur- 
veys are relied upon which are officially recorded 
under his name. Lord Fairfax immediately made 
arrangements for the cultivation of a beautiful por- 
tion of his large property on the other side of the 
Blue Ridge. He laid out a gentleman's estate of 
ten thousand acres of pasture and farm lands, which 
he called Greenway Court. 

The greater part of the three years George spent 
in the beautiful but lonely forest. What a contrast 
this is to the enervating life of many youths in 
our great cities! The grand impressions of nature 
strengthened and steeled him in body and mind. 
The solitude of the woods stimulated him to 
dwell upon the noblest thoughts and emotions. In 
the intervals of work he spent more or less time 
with his step-brother, Lawrence's father-in-law, and 
Lord Fairfax. Association with these men of fine 
breeding kept his manners from deteriorating in spite 
of his life in the wilderness. It is not surprising 
that he gained confidence in himself through his work 

[36] 



IN THE WILDERNESS 

and because of the confidence with which it was 
accepted by every one else. And the labor of these 
three years was of still greater advantage to him 
in another way, which he did not appreciate until 
later. How could the young surveyor dream that 
before long he should be traversing the same region 
as a soldier! It is always most important in the con- 
duct of a war to know the configurations of the 
country well. As an engineer Washington had sur- 
veyed his future theatre of war and carefully noted 
down his observations. 



[37 



Chapter IV 
The Ambassador 



THAT man alone deserves to live who consist- 
ently makes a good use of his life. He who 
does not do so, really does not live at all, at 
least not in a human sense. He who under- 
stands life does not bury his talent, but constantly 
develops his gifts for his own good and that of his 
fellow men, and such a life is a worthy one. George 
Washington was now nineteen years old and already 
his fellow citizens gave him credit for a high degree 
of manly courage and judgment. This is proved by 
a circumstance which we are now going to relate. 

The borders of Virginia were often disturbed by 
attacks by the French and Indians, so that the 
colonial government decided to prepare the men 
capable of bearing arms, or the militia, for defence. 
Virginia was divided into districts, over each of 
which an officer with the rank of major and the title 
of adjutant-general was placed. The pay was 150 
pounds sterling yearly. This officer was expected 
to bring the militia of his district up to the highest 
grade of military efficiency. The high reputation 
which George Washington had won caused him to 

[38] 



THE AMBASSADOR 



be offered such a post. It was thoroughly in accord 
with the tastes of his earliest youth, as we have 
already learned. But while accepting it he appre- 
ciated thoroughly all the responsibilities of the posi- 
tion. His first and most earnest care was to make 
himself master of all the knowledge and duties of his 
rank. Under the tutelage of his brother and of 
other officers who had seen active service, he studied 
the science of war and perfected himself in the use 
of the sword. Thus he was acquiring a new pro- 
fession, in which he was to gain honor and fame. 
Before he had an opportunity, however, of testing 
his abilities in his new position, he had a painful duty 
to perform for his beloved brother Lawrence, whose 
lungs had become so affected that the doctors 
advised him to seek relief in the milder climate of 
the West Indies. The sick man wished George to 
accomxpany him, and he could not refuse such a 
request from his dearly beloved brother. They set 
sail in the Fall of 175 1, returning in Midsummer of 
the following year, George enriched by new experi- 
ences and impressions, but distressed with the fear 
that his brother would not regain his health. The 
sick man had also given up hope and only came back 
because he wished to die at home. He did die very 
soon afterward, mourned sincerely by all who had 
been closely related to him or had had an opportunity 
of becoming acquainted with his amiable personality. 
Lawrence left a widow and little daughter. He had 
given his brother a part of his large fortune and made 

[39] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

him executor of his will. The estate of Mount 
Vernon was to go to his daughter, or in the event of 
her death without heirs, to George. The widow was 
to enjoy the income from his estate for life. 

As soon as Washington had settled these affairs 
he returned to his military duties. Governor Din- 
widdle had in the meanwhile divided Virginia into 
four districts, and Washington, now tv/enty years 
old, was given charge of one of them. It was his 
duty to train the officers, as well as the men of his 
district, in military tactics. There was a particular 
reason for the new military partition of Virginia by 
the governor and for the zeal with which he sought 
to put the militia on a war footing. A quarrel had 
broken out between the English and French for 
the possession of the fertile lands stretching from 
the Allegheny Mountains to the Ohio River. The 
English governor Dinwiddle took possession of them 
for England and the governor of Canada for France. 
Both sides sought to gain over the Indian tribes 
that lived on the land or near it, so that on the out- 
break of hostilities they might have their assistance. 
Both parties claimed a right to the Ohio region. It 
would have been hard to tell where the title really 
lay, but both sides were determined not to give way, 
but to let matters come to a crisis. This was why 
Governor Dinwiddle was so anxious to get the Vir- 
ginia militia ready for action. The command came 
from England to erect two forts on the Ohio, but 
while the letter containing this order was crossing 

[40] 



THE AMBASSADOR 



the ocean the French had already taken possession 
of part of the disputed territory. The English gov- 
ernor now determined to send an emissary to the 
French commander to make a last attempt at a 
peaceable adjustment, as well as to get some knowl- 
edge of the strength of the enemy and of his position. 
The governor found no one so well fitted for this 
mission as George Washington. It was a difficult 
piece of work. It meant a journey of not less 
than 560 miles, principally through a region that 
was neither quite uninhabited nor peopled by Indian 
tribes of uncertain temper. An advantage in the 
negotiations was only to be gained by conducting 
them with the utmost circumspection and cour- 
age. Washington did not refuse the office which 
the governor had offered him, although he clearly 
recognized the difficulties of the mission. He im- 
mediately prepared for the eventful journey. As 
companions he had, besides his fencing master, an 
interpreter and four frontiersmen, of whom two were 
Indian traders. The journey was begun during 
the raw November days of 1753. The progress of 
the little company was much impeded by storms and 
snow. They had to ford streams and cross rivers on 
quickly improvised rafts. As they were nearing their 
goal, they met with Indians who were friendly to the 
English. One chief told them that he had explained 
to the French commander in a speech that the 
French had no right to take possession of the land. 
Of course the chief had not written his discourse, but 

[41] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

he had preserved it, word for word, in his memory 
and could repeat it for Washington, who had the 
interpreter translate it for him, and he wrote it all 
down in his diary. As the speech is a very charac- 
teristic one, we shall give a part of it here. 
(Remember that it was addressed to the French 
commander.) 

"Fathers," said he, "you are disturbers of this 
land by building towns and taking it from us, by 
fraud or force. We kindled a lire long ago at 
Montreal, where we desired you to stay, and not to 
come and intrude upon our country. I now advise 
you to return thither, for this land is ours. If you 
had come in a peaceable manner, like our brothers 
the English, we should have traded with you as we 
do with them; but that you should come and take 
our possessions by force and build houses upon them 
is what we cannot submit to. Both you and the 
English are white. We live in a region between you 
both. The land belongs to neither of you. The 
Great Spirit allotted it to us as a home. So I desire 
you, as I have desired our brothers, the English, to 
withdraw, for I will keep you both at arm's length. 
Whoever most regards this request, by them we will 
stand and consider them friends. Our brothers, the 
English, have heard this, and I now come to tell it 
to you." 

The Indian chief told them, however, that the 
French had won over several Indian tribes com- 
pletely. After a few days Washington set out 

[42] 



THE AMBASSADOR 



once more. The exceedingly difficult and danger- 
ous journey to the headquarters of the French 
commander in the northern Ohio country lasted 
just one day less than six weeks. The Frenchman 
received Major Washington politely, but when the 
purpose of the mission was explained to him, 
refused any discussion of the disputed question, for 
he claimed that, as a soldier, his sole duty was to 
carry out the orders of his government. There- 
upon Washington took all the more pains to fulfil 
the second part of his task and to obtain the most 
exact information possible relative to the strength 
of the French garrison and the situation of the 
fortifications. When he had informed himself suffi- 
ciently on these points, he started for home. The 
return was also very dangerous and toilsome. Sev- 
eral times the little company was ambushed by 
Indians who were friendly to the French, and for 
weeks they encamped on the snowy ground. Once 
Washington came near being drowned in a rushing 
stream. He notes this in his diary thus: "There 
was no way for getting over but on a raft, which we 
set about with but one poor hatchet, and finished 
just after sunsetting. This was a whole day's work. 
We next got it launched, then went on board of it 
and set off, but before we were half way over, we 
were jammed in the ice in such a manner that we 
expected every moment our raft would sink and our- 
selves perish. I put out my setting-pole to try to 
stop the raft, that the ice might pass by, when the 

[43 1 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence 
against the pole that it jerked me out into ten feet 
of water; but I fortunately saved myself by catching 
hold of one of the raft-logs. Notwithstanding all our 
efforts, we could not get to either shore, but were 
obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft 
and make to it." After such an adventure, think 
of the night on a desert island I And they could not 
even expect succor in the morning! But the unex- 
pected happened. Cakes of ice piled up on one side 
of the island in such a way that they were able to 
gain the shore. In the middle of January, 1754, 
Washington reached home and the next day made 
his report to the governor. 



l44l 



Chapter V 
Washington s First Battles 



IT was now clear to the governor that the French 
were determined to defend what they called their 
right to the disputed territory. Therefore he con- 
sidered it wise to proceed against them without 
delay. He believed that procrastination would only 
benefit the enemy by giving them time to strengthen 
their position. Accordingly he called the Assembly 
of Virginia together, laid his plan before it, and urged 
its speedy execution. The burgesses, however, met 
his demands, at first, with great coldness. It was 
said that the rights of the mother country, England, 
to the Ohio region were in any case of a very doubtful 
nature. If, however, the King of England v/ished to 
support his claims to it, he should send over soldiers 
from England ! Finally, however, they agreed to grant 
ten thousand pounds for the enlistment of troops. 

Washington had shown himself so capable in every 
respect in carrying out the mission which had been 
entrusted to him that the governor did not hesitate 
to offer him the chief command of the troops; but 
he declined the honor "as the responsibility was too 
great for his youth and inexperience." The governor 

[45] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

then appointed the English Colonel, Joshua Fry, an 
intelligent and experienced officer, commander-in- 
chief, and Washington was persuaded to accept the 
second command, with the title of lieutenant- 
colonel. 

They immediately set out on their march, Wash- 
ington leading the vanguard, which consisted of 
only three companies. On the Ohio frontier he had 
an opportunity to strike the first blow by attacking 
a French scouting party, which had come out to pick 
him off. Only one Frenchman saved himself by 
flight, the rest were either killed or taken prisoners. 
Indians took part in this skirmish against the French. 
A letter which Washington sent a few days later to 
the governor shows what an ardent soldier he was: 
"Your Honor may depend I will not be surprised, 
let them come at what hour they will, and this is as 
much as I can promise; but my best endeavors shall 
not be wanting to effect more. I doubt not you 
may hear I am beaten, but you will hear at the same 
time that we have done our duty in fighting as long 
as there is a shadow of hope." 

At this time Fry suddenly died and the governor 
again invited Washington to take command of the 
troops. This time, elated by his recent victory, he 
did not refuse the call. The march was resumed 
under great difficulties. He was joined by a great 
many Indian families, who proved themselves useful 
as scouts, but they were not to be counted on during 
an engagement. It turned out later that some of 

[46] 



FIRST BATTLES 



these savages were sent Into his camp as spies by the 
French. The march now took him through a moun- 
tainous region. The horses were worn out and there 
were so few of them that the men were obliged not 
only to carry heavy burdens, but also to take turns 
in dragging the field pieces. The commander en- 
couraged officers and men by word and example; 
he loaded his horse with baggage and went afoot 
himself. 

After a march of several days they reached an old 
encampment, where some intrenchments had been 
thrown up. The men were thoroughly exhausted. 
It had been raining incessantly for several days and 
for a whole week there had been no bread. Washing- 
ton resolved, therefore, to rest for a few days in this 
spot and await the arrival of expected provisions. 
Here they were suddenly attacked by an over- 
whelming number of the French. It was at an early 
hour in the morning when the enemy fired upon 
them. Washington, who was prepared, had his 
troops march out on to the plain. The French, how- 
ever, continued firing from ambush, and it was soon 
evident that, in spite of their superior numbers, they 
did not intend to give up their favorable position, 
but that their object was rather to entice their 
foes into the forest. But Washington avoided this, 
fell back into his intrenchments, and ordered his 
troops to be very careful of their ammunition and to 
fire only when there was some chance of success. 
The French, who had Indian warriors in their ser- 

[47] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

vice, were posted on a thickly wooded height from 
whence they kept up a sharp fire all day. It rained 
without intermission, the trenches filled with water, 
and the muskets became more and more useless. 
Toward evening the French called out that they 
wanted to parley. But as Washington believed 
that the enemy was only anxious to spy out his 
camp, he paid no attention to the demand. After 
a while another message came from the French, 
adding that they did not wish to enter the camp 
and asking that an officer should be sent to them, 
for whose safety they pledged their honor. Wash- 
ington consented to this and the result of the con- 
ference which now took place was that Washington 
agreed to an honorable capitulation. By his firmness 
and valiant resistance he had succeeded in conceal- 
ing his real situation, which had become desperate, 
because the provision wagons had remained so far 
behind that the troops were entirely without food 
and the ammunition was very nearly exhausted. 
If the French had been informed of the miserable 
condition of the intrenchments, for the restoration 
of which nothing could be done, they never would 
have agreed to such a capitulation; and if the battle 
had been continued Washington and his troops 
would probably have been doomed to destruction. 
The next morning he left the intrenchments with 
military honors and they were at once occupied by 
the French. Washington had done the best which 
could be done under the circumstances, for which 

[48] 



FIRST BATTLES 



he and his soldiers received the acknowledgment of 
the governor and the House of Burgesses. 

Washington had had one serious obstacle to con- 
tend with during the whole campaign. The militia 
was receiving less pay than the British soldiers. He 
now took up this subject anew. The continuance 
of the rule was evidently equivalent to contempt 
for the Virginia militia, which had, it was admitted, 
fought heroically. As his demands were not acceded 
to, and in regard to several other regulations he was 
not in accord with the governor, he demanded his 
dismissal. But his retirement did not last long. 
The following year two well-equipped British regi- 
ments, under command of General Braddock, landed, 
and Washington was persuaded to join the new 
commander. He expressed himself with noble can- 
dor to a friend on his reasons for this step: "I do 
not think I should be blamed if I believe that I 
deserve some praise considering that my only object 
in taking part in this campaign is the commendable 
wish to serve my country; neither ambition nor 
desire of gain move me to this step. I hope that 
this is clearly shown by my going as a volunteer, 
with no expectation of pay or any hope of receiving 
a command, as I am firmly convinced that General 
Braddock is not at liberty to give me any post 
which I would accept." 

The march to the Ohio was immediately com- 
menced, and there certainly would have been impor- 
tant results achieved if only the valiant British 

[49] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

general had been more willing to listen to good advice. 
In haughty security he moved his battalions for- 
ward, led by the music. of the military bands, as 
though he were on the parade ground. Sending 
out scouts seemed to him a measure denoting cow- 
ardice and not caution. He was therefore soon sur- 
rounded by swarms of Indian foes and very soon 
the enemy knew the strength and destination of the 
company. It was on the ninth of June when the 
British fell into an ambuscade, where a terrific 
fire poured in upon them from the French and 
Indians, who had taken up sheltered positions. 
The greater part of the soldiers of the vanguard 
fell, among them twenty-six officers. A still greater 
number were wounded and General Braddock paid 
for his foolhardy rashness with his life. It was 
almost a miracle that Washington was saved. As 
long as Braddock was alive, Washington went dash- 
ing to and fro with orders, from one threatened 
point to another. When the commander had fallen, 
he sought the most dangerous places, trying to save 
the day, and many of the enemy recognized him as 
a dangerous foe who knew how to inspire his men 
to renewed ardor by admonition and example. A 
number of Indians, who had for some time been 
directing a well-aimed fire at him, finally desisted 
when the fruitlessness of their efforts led them to 
believe that the Great Spirit had taken the man 
under his protection. A chieftain told this after- 
ward. Washington himself believed that God had 

[so] 



FIRST BATTLES 



protected him, for he wrote to a friend: "... but, 
by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I 
have been protected beyond all human probability 
or expectation; for I had four bullets through my 
coat and two horses shot under me, yet escaped 
unhurt, though death was levelling my companions 
on every side of me!" It was owing to his courage 
and coolness that at least a part of the army was 
saved. 

Throughout the country there was but one opinion 
of Washington's ability. A preacher delivered the 
following eulogy from the pulpit: "As one who dis- 
tinguished himself on this occasion, I must mention 
that heroic youth. Colonel Washington, whom I 
cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved 
in so signal a manner for some important service to 
his country." 

Washington retired to Mount Vernon, which he 
had in the meanwhile inherited through the death 
of his brother's daughter. But he retained the post 
of adjutant-general and tried, by appropriate drill- 
ing and ordinances, to prepare the militia under 
him for efficiency in active service. The defeat of 
Braddock had frightened the Virginians out of their 
indifference and it was recognized that money and 
troops must not be spared if the constantly increas- 
ing menace of war was to be suppressed. Every one 
wished to entrust Washington with the chief com- 
mand. As the reader has already learned, his 
mother was not one of those timid natures who 

[SI] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

shrink from every breath of danger and extinguish 
every spark of courage in the breast of their sons. 
Still the lively picture of the dangers with which her 
son had been threatened in the last battle moved 
her to beg him with tears to give up military service 
forever. ' He sought tenderly to reassure her, by 
speaking of God, who is master of life and death, 
and he added: "If the command is pressed upon 
me by the general voice of the country, and offered 
upon such terms as cannot be objected to, it would 
reflect dishonor on me to refuse it; and that, I am 
sure, must, and ought, to give you greater uneasi- 
ness than my going in an honorable command." 
But he was not willing to undertake such an exceed- 
ingly diflicult post as that of commander-in-chief 
without making conditions. With clear insight into 
the requirements of the situation he demanded that 
the commander-in-chief have a voice in the choice 
of his officers, punctual payment of their salaries, 
and complete revision of the commissary depart- 
ment according to principles proposed by him. 
All this was granted and soon proved advantageous 
to the war footing of the army. Later he intro- 
duced another law into the House of Burgesses, 
which gave the military courts the right to punish 
murderers and deserters, and by which even gaming, 
drinking, cursing, and loose life were to be appro- 
priately punished. It took a determined man like 
Washington not only to have those laws passed, but 
to enforce them. 

[52] 



FIRST BATTLES 



One of the principal tasks of his campaign was to 
drive the French out of Fort Duquesne in Ohio, and 
in this he succeeded. Thereby the power of the 
French on the Ohio was destroyed and the last and 
most difficult part of the task, which had occupied 
him for several years and so extraordinarily employed 
his faculties, was finished. The Indian tribes that 
had been on the French side now came over to the 
victors and made overtures of peace, which were 
accepted. When Washington had accomplished this 
honorable task, he laid down his command and 
retired to private life. 



[S3] 



Chapter VI 
A Year of Peace 



WASHINGTON was twenty-seven years old 
when he settled at Mount Vernon in the 
hope of enjoying a life of peaceful domes- 
ticity. It was his good fortune to find a 
life companion who was his equal in mind and tastes. 
This was Martha Custis, a beautiful young widow 
with two lovely children, a boy of six and a daughter 
of four years. Washington's fortune was already a 
handsome one, since he had inherited Mount Vernon, 
and through his marriage it was increased by one 
hundred thousand dollars. His union was not 
blessed with children, but Washington brought up 
his step-children as carefully as though they had 
been his own. " I hope," he wrote to a friend shortly 
after his marriage, "to find more happiness in retire- 
ment than I ever experienced in the wide and bus- 
tling world." He now arranged a plan of life. His 
greatest inclination was to occupy himself with 
farming and gardening. He also intended to enjoy 
the treasures of art and literature, but it is only a 
few months after his marriage that we find him 
again engaged in public affairs at Williamsburg, 

[54] 



A YEAR OF PEACE 



the seat of the Assembly, where the representatives 
of the colonies held their sessions. He had not 
sought a nomination; contrary to the usual custom 
in the colonies, he had not even put himself in touch 
with the voters. It was the unbounded confidence 
of the people alone which had given him the election. 
If he had only considered what was personally most 
agreeable to himself, he would have remained on his 
beautiful estate; but duty, as the true patriot under- 
stands it, left him no choice. It must have been a 
consolation to his family that the sessions of the 
Assembly usually lasted but a few months in each 
year. 

When Washington's election was announced in 
the Assembly, it was determined by a vote of the 
house to mark his installation by a signal testi- 
monial of respect. Accordingly, as soon as he took 
his seat, Mr. Robinson, the speaker, in eloquent 
language dictated by the warmth of private friend- 
ship, returned thanks on behalf of the colony for 
the distinguished military services he had rendered 
his country. Mr. Robinson became so carried away 
by enthusiasm and the warmth of his feelings and 
used such fiery language that the young hero was 
greatly embarrassed. He stood up to acknowledge 
the honor done him, but his embarrassment was so 
great that he began to tremble violently and could 
not utter a word. He blushed, stammered, and re- 
mained speechless. The speaker then came to the 
rescue with a presence of mind and tact which 

[55] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

would have done honor to Louis the Fourteenth in 
the happiest and proudest moments of his Hfe. "Sit 
down, Mr. Washington," he said with a reassuring 
smile; "your modesty equals your valor, and that 
surpasses the power of any language I possess." It 
has often been noted that great men are especially 
apt to be overcome with confusion on their first 
attempt at speaking in public. Respect for the 
intellect of those whom they are to address, together 
with a modest estimate of their own powers, causes 
their timidity, while a high opinion of one's own 
talents and a low estimate of the intellectual calibre 
of one's hearers often leads to an overweening self- 
confidence. This timidity to which earnest natures 
are prone disappears gradually. It was so with 
Washington. He never became a brilliant orator; 
indeed, he never made a set speech. In spite of this 
his influence as a representative was exceedingly 
important. With the same conscientiousness which 
we have noted thus far in all his work, he studied 
every question which came before the Assembly. 
The demands of duty coincided with his old habit of 
constantly striving to widen his intellectual horizon 
through faithful study. As his powers of judgment 
were very keen and he followed the discussions with 
strict attention, his expositions, which were generally 
short, had almost always great weight. His mode 
of expression was simple, as it did not deal with 
appearances, but was always to the point. Thus it 
happened that a few of his pertinent remarks were 

[56] 



A YEAR OF PEACE 



often sufficient to change the trend of the discussion 
completely. When he arose to speak every one paid 
attention. What does Washington say about this 
or that question? This was often heard amongst 
the members. His principal guide was the ardent 
wish to make himself useful to his country. This 
was expressed in his whole attitude, which never 
showed the slightest trace of frivolity. He was 
scarcely ever late at the meetings or went away before 
the close. In this respect also he showed himself 
to be a true patriot and thoroughly upright man. 
And withal what childlike gayety and light-hearted- 
ness he could exhibit in his family circle or in the 
society of intimate friends ! 

The advice which Washington gave to his nephew 
when he was about to take his seat in the Assembly 
is notable. "If you wish," he said to him, "to hold 
the attention of those present, I can only advise that 
you speak seldom, and only on important points, 
with the exception of matters pertaining to your 
constituents; and in the first case, make yourself 
thoroughly acquainted beforehand with the question. 
Do not allow yourself to be carried away by undue 
ardor and do not rely too much on your own judg- 
ment. A dictatorial tone, though it may sometimes 
be convincing, is always irritating." 

He still had the greater part of the year in which 
to follow his favorite pursuits, which were, as has 
already been remarked, of an agricultural nature. 
And Mount Vernon was a magnificent country 

[57] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

seat. Washington Irving says: "The mansion was 
beautifully situated on a swelling height, crowned 
with wood, and commanding a magnificent view up 
and down the Potomac. The grounds immediately 
about it were laid out somewhat in the English taste. 
The estate was apportioned into separate farms, 
devoted to different kinds of culture, each having its 
allotted laborers. Much, however, was still covered 
with wild woods seamed with deep dells and runs of 
water and indented with inlets, haunts of deer and 
lurking place of foxes. The whole woody region 
along the Potomac from Mount Vernon to Belvoir 
and far beyond, with its range of forests and hills 
and picturesque promontories, afforded sport of vari- 
ous kinds, and was a noble hunting ground." 
Washington himself speaks of the place in one of his 
letters, and from his description one can see how 
fond he was of Mount Vernon. " No estate in 
United America," he says, " is more pleasantly situ- 
ated. In a high and healthy country; in a latitude 
between the extremes of heat and cold; on one of 
the finest rivers in the world; a river well stocked 
with various kinds of fish at all seasons of the year, 
and in the Spring with shad, herrings, bass, carp, 
sturgeon, etc., in great abundance. The borders of 
the estate are washed by more than ten miles of tide 
water; several valuable fisheries appertain to it; the 
whole shore, in fact, is one entire fishery." 

A great plantation in Virginia, at that time, was 
like a little principality. The principal house, which 

[58] 



A YEAR OF PEACE 



was occupied by the owner, was the seat of power 
In a neighboring house lived the steward or overseer 
ot the slaves, who was the prime minister of the little 
kingdom. Connected with his house were kitchens 
workshops, and stables. There was a crowd of neero 
servants hanging about the buildings and manor 
house; the number who worked in the fields was 
sti 1 greater and their neat cabins formed a little 
village. A well laid out garden belonged to each 
cabin. 1 he barnyard swarmed with fowls, and 
negro children disported themselves before the cabins 
in the sunshine. 

With these hints the reader can complete the 
picture of Mount Vernon in his own mind There 
were many planters in the colony who, like the 
Merovingians of old, left the management of their 
estates entirely in the hands of their stewards, only 
requiring^ the payment of the income, so that they 
might enjoy as many luxuries as possible. But this 
was not so at Mount Vernon. Washington was the 
prince and father of his little kingdom. Almost 
daily, and generally on horseback, he visited his 
lields, pastures, fisheries, and mills. As a rule, on 
this tour of inspection he wore a pongee-colored coat 
with gilt buttons. Let us take the opportunity 
ot presenting a picture of the stately man as it has 
been drawn for us: Washington's dignified bear- 
mg was without pride, his firmness without obsti- 
nacy or arrogance. His outward appearance was 
equally harmonious. The effect of his gigantic 

[59] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

stature — Washington was over six feet tall — was 
modified by beauty and perfect proportion. He 
was like a grand building, in which the complete 
symmetry of the separate parts gives it charm. 
His fiery nature was held in check by good sense. 
His courage was never foolhardy, nor did his caution 
ever proceed from fear. His reliable judgment was 
the result of a good memory. Industry and hard 
work with him never degenerated into unsociability 
or moroseness. When Washington drove to church 
with his family, or went on a visit to William Fairfax 
or some other relative or friend, the state coach 
with its four horses was brought out. Then the 
black servants, coachman, and overseer, donned 
gorgeous liveries. 

But how is this, the reader will perhaps ask; did 
Washington own slaves ? In answering this question 
one must take into consideration that Washington 
was born into a slave community. The custom of 
a country puts its stamp on each and every native 
citizen. We shall never be able to judge any histori- 
cal personage without carefully studying the cus- 
toms bf the period and the intellectual tendencies 
of his time. Not until this has been done can the 
question be asked. How did this man stand in 
relation to the prevailing opinions and customs of 
his time? Slavery was an ugly blot on the State, 
especially the slavery which was inaugurated during 
the Christian era. Nothing is so fertile in expedients 
as human selfishness. It was represented to "his 

[60] 



A YEAR OF PEACE 



most Christian majesty," King Louis the Thirteenth 
of France, that free negroes would not accept Chris- 
tianity, but that if they were made slaves, it would 
be an easy matter to make Christians of them! 
Furthermore they said: "The negro tribes have the 
custom of killing their prisoners of war; should we 
introduce slavery into our colonies, those tribes 
would no longer kill their captives, but would sell 
them to us. In this way we should save their lives 
and this would make slavery an advantage to them." 
This reasoning appealed to the King, and thus this 
wrong, which had been introduced by the Portu- 
guese, became lawful among the French. It was 
not long before it was customary for the Portuguese, 
Spanish, French, and English settlers to import 
negroes. The number of negroes who were kid- 
napped Is estimated at forty millions. The sins of 
the fathers have been visited heavily on the children, 
as we know, and the sacrifice of much blood was 
necessary to give back to the negroes those human 
rights of which they had been despoiled. 

Returning to our history, in order that we may 
not judge falsely, we must inquire what attitude 
Washington took in regard to this institution in the 
midst of which he had grown up. The first answer 
is, toward his slaves he was like a wise father caring 
for his children. What he did for them in later times 
we shall relate at the end of the story. He did not 
overburden his slaves with work, but he did not 
allow them to be idle. Idleness seemed almost 

[6i] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

worse to him than an overplus of work. Nature is 
one great workshop. Those organisms which no 
longer work fall into decay. Useful work preserves 
and stimulates the body and mind of man. Laziness 
is the forerunner of mental decay; he who turns 
away from all useful occupations is subject to wicked 
thoughts. Therefore the old proverb is full of truth: 
"Satan finds work for idle hands to do." He who 
governs others must be careful to keep them properly 
employed. Everybody has at least one person to 
command — himself. Let him take care that this 
person does not give way to idleness. To fashion 
one's own character is the highest kind of task, 
but he alone accomplishes this who is careful to 
do his work with a higher and higher degree of per- 
fection. In this sense every human being has an 
opportunity to perfect himself, whether he uses a 
needle, walks behind the plough, or whether the pen 
is his implement. As long as a man works under 
compulsion, he is on a low plane of development. 
He is exposed to the danger of perishing. It is only 
the influence from without that upholds him. Com- 
pulsion is, after all, a blessing for him, even though 
through it he may not reach a high degree of effi- 
ciency. From the moment, however, that a man 
begins to follow his calling with the avowed purpose 
not only of fulfilling the duties of his position, but 
endeavors to grow, morally and intellectually, he 
belongs to a higher order of humanity. All bene- 
factors of the human race have been of this higher 

[62] 



A YEAR OF PEACE 



order. They labored in the sweat of their brows and 
still were happy in the thought that their work was 
equally of advantage to themselves and to others. 
Through labor and sorrow their lives gained value. 
In this order of humanity there are, of course, different 
degrees of rank. To one who belongs to it, however, 
the way is open to the summit of human felicity. 
Any one may seek this path, whatever station in life 
he may occupy. Only fulfil the duties which your 
position demands of you and this happy goal may 
be yours. Conscientiousness and faithfulness lead 
thither. But how many squander their thoughts 
and feelings on unworthy objects! Good fortune 
is always close beside us and doing our duty is the 
magic formula which makes it our own. In regard 
to a true estimate of the value of work, the example 
of Washington and his friends — among them we at 
once think of the splendid Franklin — has not been 
without its fruits among Americans. The French- 
man Laboulaye has said: "The further we pro- 
gress, the more we comprehend that the man who 
works is the true nobleman and that he who does 
nothing is a man whom we have much to forgive, 
however rich he may be. In the United States, the 
man who does nothing is considered an enemy of 
society. Mothers protect their daughters from him 
and all sensible people withhold their respect from 
him. That he who does nothing will end by doing 
evil is the right conclusion of the Americans." 

No small part of Washington's work consisted in 

[63] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

regulating the labor of his servants, overseeing them, 
and disposing the right forces in the proper places. 
As we have said, he was as anxious to keep his slaves 
from being overworked as he was to keep them from 
idleness. In his diaries we find notes of how he 
managed to preserve the balance. He noted exactly 
how much this or that piece of work progressed in 
a given time and made a plan for the day's work 
in accordance with this observation. Of course he 
took into consideration the delays which are inevi- 
table under certain conditions. The best of all was 
that he often lent a hand himself. One great fea- 
ture of the evil which slavery brought into the world 
consisted in the feeling which grew up among the 
masters that any form of farm work or manual 
labor was degrading. As the slaves had to do all 
of this "degrading work," they felt that they were 
under a curse. These were the common views of 
antiquity, and during slavery times in the American 
colonies they began to acquire a fresh hold. It is 
somewhat of a question whether even now more 
sensible opinions prevail among those who call 
themselves aristocrats. 

At Mount Vernon the slaves often saw their 
master at work in the garden or in the fields. At 
one time he spent several days in the smithy with his 
negroes, fashioning a new plough of his own inven- 
tion. The work was carried out to his satisfaction, 
and thereupon the negroes saw him set to work 
ploughing up a new piece of meadow land. One of 

[64] 



A YEAR OF PEACE 



his mills was in danger of being destroyed by a flood. 
In a pouring rain he marched out at the head of his 
servants and helped to do the work which was need- 
ful in order to save the building. 

Washington was in the habit of rising very early, 
in the Winter long before daybreak. He did not 
wish to disturb others, however, in the early morning 
hours. He lit his own fire and read and wrote until 
breakfast was ready for the family — which in Sum- 
mer was at seven o'clock and in Winter at eight 
o'clock. He then took two cups of tea and with 
them a few hoecakes. At two o'clock he dined. 
Although he was rich, his table was very simple. At 
dinner he drank two glasses of wine and sometimes 
he took cider. He went to bed at nine o'clock. He 
kept a complete record of the many kinds of work 
which were carried on on his estates, with separate 
books for letter copies. Thus he was able to main- 
tain a complete and clear oversight over his affairs. 
The principal product of the plantations was tobacco, 
which was an important article of export to England. 
There were several lading places on the Potomac 
River for the tobacco which was grown for the market 
on the Mount Vernon estate. It was not long before 
Washington had acquired such a reputation for 
reliability and square dealing with the foreign mer- 
chants that they considered it unnecessary to ex- 
amine the boxes and bales which bore his stamp. 

^ He was very fond of exercising hospitality, as his 
diaries tell us. We find in them the names of all 

[65] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

the men who later became celebrated in the colonies. 
Especially during the fox-hunting season, his house 
was often the meeting place for neighboring lovers 
of the sport, for he found hunting an agreeable 
relaxation. Among the visitors, one of whom was 
the venerable Lord Fairfax, there were a number of 
highly educated gentlemen. To have intercourse 
with men of this kind was as great a necessity for 
him as was the reading of good books. But his 
activities extended beyond the borders of his own 
estate. With men of congenial minds he discussed 
a plan for draining and turning into pasture land a 
great swamp nearly thirty miles long and ten miles 
wide. He made the necessary inspection him- 
self, both on foot and on horseback. The tour 
was exceedingly toilsome and dangerous in many 
spots. At certain places he found thick forests of 
cypresses, cedars, and foliage trees with long moss 
hanging from the branches. Again he was obliged 
to force his way through thickets of thorn and 
creepers. His horse often sunk to its haunches in 
the marsh. It was then necessary to proceed on 
foot over the uncertain ground, and after making a 
reconnoissance, to make his way back to the horse 
over the same dangerous path. In this way he 
penetrated from several directions into this unknown 
wilderness, until he had as clear an Idea of It as pos- 
sible, and then he drew up a plan for draining and 
making the marsh arable. The fact that the plan 
had been drawn up by Washington, and that he 
[66] 



A YEAR OF PEACE 



considered its execution entirely feasible, was suffi- 
cient to cause a number of well-to-do people to form 
a company to take up the work. It took but a few 
years to transform this wild region into a splendid 
strip of land composed of fruitful fields and grassy 
pastures. 

These occupations were very congenial and Wash- 
ington wished for nothing more earnestly than that 
he might be allowed to pass his whole life in the 
same manner. But Providence had ordained other- 
wise. An event happened which this law-abiding 
subject never could have desired, for he was devoted 
to the mother country. The colonies quarrelled 
with England, and it was this circumstance which 
suddenly tore him from his peaceful existence. 



[67 



Chapter VII 
A parrel with the Mother Country 

WE must now consider the reasons for the 
quarrel with the mother country. "Woe to 
the law breaker!" The law breaker caus- 
ing this disagreement was the English gov- 
ernment. According to the English constitution, new 
taxes could not be laid upon the people without the 
consent of their representatives. It now suddenly 
occurred to the government to tax the colonies 
without asking their permission. Thus it was act- 
ing contrary to the principles of the constitution. 
All right-thinking people will agree that one of the 
saddest spectacles in history is to see a government, 
whose sacred duty it is to be the guardian of the law, 
working for its overthrow. The Anglo-American 
disagreement furnishes this mournful spectacle. 

Lord Camden, one of those astute statesmen in 
England who foresaw the consequences of such 
action, said to Franklin: "In spite of your oft- 
protested love for England, I know that some day 
you Americans will shake oif the bonds which unite 
you to us and raise the flag of independence." This 
[68] 



THE MOTHER COUNTRY 

remark was afterward recalled and the reasons for 
it were sought and not in vain. The English govern- 
ment seems to have been possessed by a spirit of 
lawlessness at that time, while the American colonies 
were distinguished, just at the same period, in an 
extraordinary degree, by a high regard for law. 
Thus Lord Camden saw the day approaching when 
the unjust demands of the government would arouse 
the resistance of the Americans. Franklin had 
assured Camden that nothing was farther from the 
thoughts of his countrymen than a separation from 
the mother country and the formation of an inde- 
pendent State. Franklin indeed added the words, 
"That is, unless you treat us shamefully," to which 
Lord Camden answered significantly, "That is true; 
and that is precisely one of the reasons which I 
foresee will bring this to pass." 

Lord Camden's predictions were fulfilled. The 
ministry of King George arbitrarily imposed duties 
upon certain articles in the colonies. This illegal 
procedure was answered by the American popula- 
tion refusing to buy the taxed goods sent over from 
England. The act was annulled, but not on the 
ground of unlawfulness, but because it was deter- 
mined to tax a class of goods which, it was thought, 
America could not do without. The government 
said to itself: Contracts shall be legal only when 
they are executed upon stamped paper. As there 
are innumerable contracts entered into between 
the merchants in the colonies, and stamps must 

[69] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

be purchased for them, there will be no alternative, 
the inhabitants will be compelled to pay the tax 
which we shall lay upon these documents. Here it 
made another mistake; the Americans, in their busi- 
ness dealings, now employed only verbal promises 
and oaths — the English tax-agents could not sell a 
single stamped paper. 

There was more or less unrest here and there. 
The evident injustice of the measure caused some 
outbreaks among the people, but the leaders tried 
to keep the agitation within legal bounds. Even 
yet Washington was far from thoughts of a separa- 
tion. He wrote to a friend: "I can testify that in 
fact independence is neither the desire nor for the 
interest of the colonies. But," he added, "you 
may be sure that not one of them will ever allow 
those valuable rights to be destroyed which are 
essential to the happiness of a free country and 
without which life, liberty, and property are without 
security." Parliament was blind enough to give 
its approval to the arbitrary measures of the govern- 
ment. In spite of this the wish was general among 
the great majority of American citizens that matters 
should not come to a real break. The question was 
prayed over in the churches, petitions were sent to 
London to the King and to Parliament. Washington 
wrote, to a member of that body: "The repeal, to 
whatever cause owing, ought much to be rejoiced at, 
for, had the Parliament of Great Britain resolved 
upon enforcing it, the consequences, I conceive, 

[70] 



THE MOTHER COUNTRY 

would have been more direful than is generally appre- 
hended, both to the mother country and her colonies. 
All, therefore, who were instrumental in procuring 
the repeal are entitled to the thanks of every British 
subject, and have mine cordially." The Stamp Act 
was now annulled, but again only because nothing 
had been accomplished by it. The evil intent 
toward the American colonies remained. 

It was not long before the English government, 
with the assistance of Parliament, imposed a new 
duty on tea, paper, glass, and painters' colors. This 
embittered every one anew. Immediately leagues 
were formed in several colonies, whose members 
pledged themselves not to buy goods imported from 
England, except in case of the greatest necessity. 
It was hoped that this would cause English citizens 
at home to persuade the government to cancel this 
new duty. Washington wrote to a friend: "At a 
time when our lordly masters in Great Britain will 
be satisfied with nothing less than the deprivation 
of American freedom, it seems highly necessary that 
something should be done to avert the stroke and 
maintain the liberty which we have derived from 
our ancestors. But the manner of doing it to 
answer the purpose effectually is the point in ques- 
tion. That no man should scruple, or hesitate a 
moment, to use arms in defence of so valuable a 
blessing is clearly my opinion. Yet arms, I would 
beg leave to add, should be the last resource, the 
dernier resort. We have already, it is said, proved 

[71] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

the inefficacy of addresses to the throne and remon- 
strances to ParHament. How far, then, their atten- 
tion to our rights and privileges is to be awakened 
or alarmed by starving their trade and manufactures, 
remains to be tried. The northern colonies, it 
appears, are endeavoring to adopt this scheme. In 
my opinion it is a good one, and must be attended 
with salutary effects, provided it can be carried 
pretty generally into execution." 

This letter of Washington shows the attitude of 
the best men of the time toward the illegal measures 
of Parliament. But England went farther still 
along the hazardous path on which she had entered. 
One wrong begets another. It was determined to 
treat the resistance to the duties as high treason. 
As the American judges would not agree to this, the 
government arbitrarily introduced new courts com- 
posed of British naval officers, whose attitude was 
assured beforehand. Besides this, it set aside magis- 
trates — this, again, contrary to the laws of the land 
— and created new ones. Finally it was ordained 
that in future all of the more serious crimes should 
be tried in England instead of in the colonies. This 
despotic behavior increased the bitterness in the 
minds of the Americans. Here and there their anger 
blazed up. One heard of bloody encounters between 
the American populace and British soldiers. The 
latter gave the Americans the nickname of Yankees, 
which in the Iroquois tongue meant cowardly and 
had. The people retorted by calling the British 

[72] 



THE MOTHER COUNTRY 

soldiers crabs and bloodhounds, in allusion to their 
red uniforms. 

For a time ships which brought tea from England 
were refused admission to Boston Harbor, whereupon 
the harbor was surrounded by British ships and it 
was proclaimed that the refusal of tea ships would 
no longer be tolerated. This so aroused the ire of 
the Bostonians that it was determined to destroy the 
tea. A band of men disguised as Indians boarded 
the ships at night, and three hundred and forty-two 
chests of tea were thrown into the water. In conse- 
quence of this act the port of Boston was closed by 
the British. That was a heavy blow for the city, 
whose commerce was practically destroyed by this 
measure. But the inhabitants did not yield. 

Upon this the English government, through the 
Parliament in London, instructed the other colonies 
to treat the inhabitants of Massachusetts as rebels. 
Arguments were made in Parliament for and against 
this course. A general, who denounced the attitude 
of the citizens of Boston with extreme bitterness, 
said that he would pledge himself to drive the whole 
lot of American rebels from one end of the world to 
the other with five regiments of infantry. Others 
defended the Americans. Wilkes showed that the 
British had adopted an unjust and inequitable 
course against the colonists. "It is our ministers," 
he continued, "who wish to loose the bonds which 
unite North America with Great Britain, while the 
colonists wish for nothing but peace, freedom, and 

[73] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

security." He adjured Parliament to adopt a more 
just procedure toward them. "It is possible," he 
concluded, "that you might be able to burn Boston, 
or to place a strong garrison there, but the whole 
province will be lost to you. From this moment 
I see America's independence growing and gather- 
ing strength; I see her, in her freedom, attaining a 
greatness equal to the richest and mightiest empires 
in the world. Do you wish to push the Americans 
to desperation? Good! You will see them defend 
their property with that courage which hatred of 
tyranny inspires, with the courage that comes down 
to them from our illustrious forefathers, who fought 
in defence of their threatened liberties!" The warn- 
ing was in vain. The majority in Parliament shared 
the blindness of the ministry and not only the inhab- 
itants of Boston, but of the whole province wxre 
declared rebels; that is, they were put under military 
law. This was equal to a declaration of war. 

As soon as the decree was made known in Massa- 
chusetts, the representatives of the colony met at 
Salem and from there issued a call to all the Ameri- 
can colonies to a general congress. The call was 
accepted by nearly all of them, though the delegates 
from Georgia did not arrive until later. Philadelphia 
was chosen as the place of meeting and the first 
Continental Congress convened on the fourth of 
September, 1774. The greater part of the fifty-one 
members were thoughtful, dignified men. Washing- 
ton was the most distinguished amongst them. He 

[74] 



THE MOTHER COUNTRY 

had written a short time before this to a friend: 
"What is it we are contending against? Is it against 
paying the duty of threepence per pound on tea, 
because burdensome? No, it is our right only that 
we have all along disputed. ... If I had no doubt 
that the British Parliament had a right to tax us 
without our consent, and contrary to our charters 
and our constitution, I should consider entreaties, 
and entreaties only, the sole means through which 
we should seek redress. But my firm conviction is 
that the British Parliament has no more right to 
put its hand in my pocket than I have to put mine 
into my neighbor's." 

The proposal to open the Congress with prayer 
was adopted unanimously. The minister began his 
petition for God's aid in a just cause with the 
words of the Thirty-fifth Psalm: "Plead my cause, 
O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against 
them that fight against me. Take hold of shield 
and buckler, and stand up for mine help." Next 
a "declaration of rights" was drawn up, which 
stated the lawful rights of the colonies clearly and 
concisely. Furthermore the resolution to refrain 
from buying English goods until the unlawful de- 
mands had been withdrawn was renewed, and finally 
an address to the English people, a memorial to the 
American people, and a petition to the King were 
framed. They were anxious not to destroy the 
possibility of a peaceable adjustment, even at the 
last moment. 

[75] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

The English people were addressed with firmness 
and dignity. "You have been told," the address says, 
"that we are rebels who are weary of submission to 
authority and seek independence. Be assured that 
this is calumny. Grant us the same freedom that you 
enjoy and we shall glory in our union with you and 
esteem it our greatest happiness. We shall always 
be ready to sacrifice all that lies in our power for the 
welfare of the empire; we shall consider your enemies 
our enemies, and your interests our interests. But 
should you be determined to allow your ministers to 
trifle with human dignity, should neither the voice of 
justice, nor the precepts of the law, nor the basis of 
the constitution, nor feelings of humanity, deter you 
from shedding our blood — we must declare to you 
that we shall never debase ourselves to become the 
slaves of any minister or of any nation in the world." 

The King, as well as the ministry and Parliament, 
persisted in their blindness. The greatest English 
statesman, Chatham, warned his countrymen in 
vain and pleaded with enthusiasm, but fruitlessly, 
the just and honorable cause of the Americans. 
"When your Lordships," he cried, "look at the 
papers transmitted us from America, when you con- 
sider their decency, firmness, and wisdom, you can 
not but respect their cause and wish to make it your 
own. For myself, I must avow that in all my read- 
ing — and I have read Thucydides and have studied 
and admired the master States of the world — for 
solidity of reason, force of sagacity, and wisdom of 

[76] 



THE MOTHER COUNTRY 



conclusion under a complication of difficult circum- 
stances, no body of men can stand in preference to 
the General Congress at Philadelphia." At another 
time he said: "I rejoice that America has resisted. 
Three millions of people so dead to all the feelings of 
liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would 
have been fit instruments to make slaves of the rest." 

Not only Washington's whole previous life and 
career, but particularly his attitude at the Congress, 
caused his countrymen to look to him with the 
greatest confidence. When one of the most promi- 
nent members, Patrick Henry, was asked on his 
return home whom he considered the most important 
man among the members, he answered: "If you 
refer to eloquence, Rutledge of South Carolina is by 
far the greatest orator; but if you speak of thorough 
knowledge and sound judgment, without question 
Colonel Washington is the greatest man in that 
body." 

It was a comfort to all who had reached the 
conclusion that the day of conflict was not far dis- 
tant that Washington not only had great gifts as a 
statesman, but had already proved himself an 
accomplished soldier. 



\n 



Chapter VIII 
A "Trial of Arms 



THE best men in England had appealed to 
the sense of justice and fairness of the gov- 
ernment and of Parliament without effect. 
The colony of Massachusetts was placed 
under military rule. The order was given to seize 
the military stores in the colonies and the begin- 
ning was made in Boston. At this a cry of indigna- 
tion resounded throughout the country. It was no 
longer possible not to perceive that tyranny was 
determined to set its foot on the necks of the Ameri- 
can people. Patriots assembled ready to give their 
lives for the preservation of their rights. The 
abolition of a second armory at Concord led to a 
conflict. The British were eight hundred strong, 
the Americans but eighty. When the British had 
accomplished their purpose, they began their march 
back to Boston. But this retreat proved calamitous. 
They were surrounded by the Americans, who had 
received reinforcements and who continually attacked 
them. Their loss was frightful and not one of the 
eight hundred would have reached Boston had not 
the British general sent out a troop of one thousand 
men to meet them. 

[78] 



A TRIAL OF ARMS 



The Americans had not been able to save their 
stores at Concord, but this success was a great 
encouragement to them. They had fought against 
picked and well-disciplined troops, while they were 
only an untrained band of citizens and farmers, 
armed with any kind of weapon that came to hand. 
They were good hunters and knew well how to make 
use of each tree and ridge and stone wall for a shelter 
from behind which to fire; a mode of fighting (sharp 
shooting) which later was used by all armies. The 
cry "to arms" was now heard from hamlet to hamlet, 
from village to village, and from town to town. 
Whoever had the freedom of his country at heart 
and a just hatred of tyranny took his musket from 
the wall, girded on his sword, and bade his dear ones 
farewell. These plain people, ready to assemble 
at a moment's notice, the "minute-men," did not 
stop to don uniforms, but wore a simple blouse over 
their clothes; the well-to-do wore their powdered 
wigs. Shortly before this the British soldiers had 
made fun of the blouses and wigs, but after the 
disastrous retreat from Concord to Boston, all their 
waggery deserted them. From all sides the Ameri- 
cans began their march on Boston, which was in 
the hands of the enemy. The city was soon sur- 
rounded on the land side by fifteen thousand Ameri- 
cans. Their first duty was to observe the enemy 
and not to allow them to enter the country. The 
situation was hard on the citizens, who were under 
the eyes of the British and could not make a move. 

[79] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

The British general, Gage, fearing that the inhab- 
itants might embrace some favorable opportunity 
to rise against him, promised to allow them to join 
their comrades and march out of the city if they 
would leave their arms behind. They delivered up 
their weapons, whereupon he broke his word and 
detained them as hostages. 

To the joy of the British and the despair of the 
Americans, English ships appeared one day in the 
harbor. They brought reinforcements of four thou- 
sand men under General Howe, an arrogant man, 
who believed that it would be the easiest thing in 
the world to disperse the Americans. He had been 
made commander-in-chief of the British army in 
the colonies. What he now heard on landing in 
Boston of the retreat of the British from Concord 
must have somewhat shaken his feeling of security, 
for he did not, in accordance with his boastful 
words, proceed immediately to attack the besieg- 
ing American troops. Instead, the first move was 
made by them. In a single night they had thrown 
up intrenchments close to the city. To take these 
General Howe sent out the whole British force 
against the enemy. Both sides fought desperately. 
The American riflemen had twice repulsed the Brit- 
ish and would probably have met further attacks 
successfully had not their ammunition given out. 
Thus the brave men were obliged to retreat after the 
third assault, but they retired in good order, leaving 
the enemy too exhausted to think of pursuing them. 

[80] 



A TRIAL OF ARMS 



The British held the battlefield, but how brilliantly 
the untrained defenders of liberty had met the well- 
disciplined and picked troops of the enemy, led by 
their experienced generals! The loss of the Ameri- 
cans was but four hundred and fifty-three, while 
the British had lost ten hundred and fifty-four men. 
"I have never heard of such slaughter within so 
short a time!" said General Howe. 

This was the battle of Bunker Hill, and the Ameri- 
cans who fell there richly merited the monument 
which was afterward erected on this spot to their 
memories. Every one felt that troops inspired with 
such a spirit would know how to defend the lib- 
erties of their country! When Washington heard of 
the battle, he cried with profound emotion: "The 
freedom of the country is assured!" The intrench- 
ments were in the possession of the British, but the 
battle had not raised the siege of Boston. 



[8i] 



Chapter IX 

Washington Chosen Commander-in-Chief 

ON the tenth of May, 1775, the Continental 
Congress again assembled. The means of 
defence for all the colonies was taken under 
consideration. Washington took the prin- 
cipal part in these deliberations, as he had been 
chosen chairman of all the committees on military- 
affairs. The situation now called for the appoint- 
ment of a commander-in-chief. There were able 
men in Congress who had served as officers in the 
British army and one or another of them rather 
expected to be chosen for the position. In the first 
battles — the pursuit of the British and the bloody 
battle of Bunker Hill — able leaders had also arisen. 
There were a few who made great efforts to get the 
appointment, while Washington refrained from influ- 
encing any one in his own behalf, as indeed was his 
custom under like circumstances throughout his life. 
At last, on the fifteenth of June, a vote was taken, 
and when the votes were counted it was found that 
Washington, with the exception of his own vote, 
had been unanimously elected. He expressed his 
thanks to the members for the confidence they had 
[82] 



CHOSEN COMMANDER 

shown in him and promised to serve his country 
faithfully, but added that he feared the task would 
be too great for him. In closing he said: "Lest 
some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to 
my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every 
gentleman in this room, that I this day declare, 
with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself 
equal to the command I am honored with." He 
looked upon his election as a providential call which 
it would be very wrong to refuse; it was his intention 
to exert his powers to the utmost, his hope that God 
would lend him aid. In accepting this appointment 
he made a great personal sacrifice to his country, 
for he was not spurred by ambition and he com- 
prehended clearly the magnitude of the task which 
was set before him. His tastes inclined toward the 
delights of peaceful domestic life, the activities of 
the garden and fields, and now he was selected to 
conduct military operations which, he must have 
known, would, even under the most favorable cir- 
cumstances, keep him away from his family and his 
home for a long time to come. But piety and a 
strong sense of duty filled his manly soul and only 
a slight tinge of sadness marks the letters which 
he wrote immediately after the appointment. He 
wrote to his wife, whom he loved tenderly: "You 
may believe me when I assure you, in the most 
solemn manner, that so far from seeking this appoint- 
ment, I have used every endeavor in my power to 
avoid it, not only from my unwillingness to part from 

[83] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

you and the family, but from a consciousness of its 
being a trust too great for my capacity; and I should 
enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at 
home than I have the most distant prospect of 
finding abroad. I shall rely constantly on that 
Providence which has heretofore preserved and been 
bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return 
safe to you in the Fall. I shall feel no pain from the 
toil or danger of the campaign; my unhappiness will 
flow from the uneasiness I know you will feel from 
being left alone. I therefore beg that you will sum- 
mon your whole fortitude and pass your time as 
agreeably as possible. Nothing will give me so 
much sincere satisfaction as to hear this, and to 
hear it from your own pen." 

To a friend he wrote: "The cause of my country 
has laid a difficult and dangerous duty upon me; 
but I hope that the all-wise Providence, which 
guides human destinies, will enable me to fulfil this 
duty faithfully and with success." 

As commander-in-chief the sum of five hundred dol- 
lars a month was granted him, but he positively re- 
fused any remuneration for his services. He said that 
he would keep an account of expenses which he might 
incur in the public service and that if these should 
be paid, it was all that he wished. A prominent 
member of Congress, the accomplished John Adams, 
wrote to a friend: "There is something charming 
to me in the conduct of Washington, a gentleman of 
one of the first fortunes upon the continent, leaving 

[84] 



CHOSEN COMMANDER 

his delicious retirement, his family and friends, sacri- 
ficing his ease, and hazarding all in the cause of his 
country. His views are noble and disinterested." 
In the official letter of appointment, which was 
delivered to him on the twentieth of July, a tribute 
was paid to his love of country, his courage, his 
faithfulness, and the conscientiousness which he had 
shown under all circumstances, and to the purity of 
his life. As the day for his departure for the army 
drew near, every one who had not yet seen him 
endeavored to do so. At the request of the oificers, 
he reviewed several companies of militia. All were 
delighted with his military bearing. Washington 
Irving says: "Rarely has the public heau ideal of a 
commander been so fully answered. He was now 
in the vigor of his days, forty-three years of age, 
stately in person, noble in his demeanor, calm and 
dignified in his deportment; as he sat his horse, with 
manly grace, his military presence delighted every 
eye, and wherever he went the air rang with accla- 
mations." The brilliant wife of John Adams wrote 
in a letter to a friend: "Dignity, ease, and compla- 
cency, the gentleman and the soldier, look agreeably 
blended in him. Modesty marks every line and fea- 
ture of his face. Those lines of Dryden instantly 
occurred to me: 

"'Mark his majestic fabric! He's a temple 
Sacred by birth and built by hands Divine.'" 

[85] 



Chapter X 
Washington Before Boston 



AT this crisis Congress felt that it must make 
one more appeal to the King. This was 
done in a petition couched in the most 
respectful language. It says: "We beg to 
assure Your Majesty that, in spite of the sufferings 
of your loyal colonists during the present disagree- 
ment, we still cherish such tender consideration for 
the kingdom to which we owe our origin that we 
are far from demanding any agreement incompatible 
with the dignity and prosperity of the mother coun- 
try." Thus the English government had another 
opportunity of adopting a conciliatory course. It 
did not do so. London paid no attention whatever 
to Congress. The answer intended for the Americans 
was to be written by Howe's bayonets and the 
English government had no doubt that their general 
would soon report the downfall of the rebellion, as 
they -called this justifiable resistance. 

In the meanwhile Washington had appeared before 

Boston. An army chaplain has left us the following 

characteristic picture of the American camp: "It 

is very diverting to walk among the camps. They 

[86] 



BEFORE BOSTON 



are as different in their forms as the owners are in 
their dress; and every tent is a portraiture of the 
temper and taste of the persons who encamp in it. 
Some are made of boards and some are made of 
sailcloth; some are partly of one and partly of the 
other. Again, others are made of stone and turf, 
brick and brush. Some are thrown up in a hurry, 
others curiously wrought with wreaths and withes." 
To his discomfiture, Washington did not find what 
he had hoped for. The American army consisted of 
sixteen thousand men instead of twenty thousand, as 
he had been told, and of these only fourteen thou- 
sand were fit for military service. He found brave 
men, but not a homogeneous army; instead, large 
and small bands of men, armed in promiscuous 
fashion, under leaders who were totally independent 
of each other. There was no artillery and even 
the most rudimentary military organization was 
lacking. To make a military unit of this hetero- 
geneous mass was the first task which lay before him. 
It was to be expected that the solution of this 
problem would be attended with extraordinary diffi- 
culties. He had to deal with sons of the forest who, 
though brave, were, owing to their unrestrained 
and independent lives, unused to military discipline. 
Such a task was not to be accomplished in a few 
days or weeks, but needed a long time. Inside the 
city a picked body of eleven thousand men was 
quartered, splendidly armed and well equipped with 
all that was necessary to carry on the war. 

[87] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

Thus Washington found more than enough work 
awaiting him from the first day of his arrival at 
headquarters. He was now repaid for the careful 
training of his youth and his habit of conscientiously 
carrying out whatever he undertook, of seizing upon 
the essentials of a matter, and of persevering, with 
strict attention and diligence, to the end. What 
industry, strength, firmness, and patience were 
necessary to call forth that spirit, without which 
harmony in action would be lacking and enduring 
success could not be attained! Under the existing 
circumstances there was at first no other course 
open to him than to imitate the method of Fabius, 
the delayer. Thus the year passed and nothing had 
been done by either side. At the end of December 
a part of the American troops who had only enlisted 
for the current year demanded to be mustered out. 
It was their right and Washington let them go. 
There were about ten thousand men left in the 
camp before Boston, while the enemy inside had in 
the meanwhile been strengthened by reinforcements 
from England. 

The patriots of the country had no idea of the 
difficulties with which Washington had to struggle. 
Many had expected to read in the newspapers of 
battles and victories during the first days of Wash- 
ington's command and now a year had passed 
and nothing had been done. Two of Washington's 
letters of that time, both of them to Colonel Reed, 
give sufficient explanation of the situation. The 

[88] 



BEFORE BOSTON 



first letter says: *' Search the vast volumes of history- 
through and I much question whether a case similar 
to ours is to be found; to wit, to maintain a post 
against the flower of the British troops for six months 
together, without powder, and at the end of them 
to have one army disbanded and another to raise, 
within the same distance of a reinforced enemy. It 
is too much to attempt — what may be the final 
issue of the last manoeuvre, time only can tell. I 
wish this month were well over our heads!" The 
second letter is dated in February of the next year 
(1776), in which he says: "I know the unhappy 
predicament I stand in. I know that much is ex- 
pected of me. I know that without men, without 
arms, without ammunition, without anything fit for 
the accommodation of a soldier, that little is to be 
done, and, which is mortifying, I know that I cannot 
stand justified to the world, without exposing my 
own weakness and injuring the cause by declaring 
my wants, which I am determined not to do, further 
than unavoidable necessity brings every man ac- 
quainted with. My own situation feels so irksome 
to me at times that if I did not consult the publick 
good more than my own tranquillity I should long 
ere this have put everything to the cast of a die. 
So far from my having an army of twenty thousand 
men, well armed, etc., I have been here with less 
than one-half of it, including sick, furloughed, and 
on command; and those neither armed or clothed 
as they should be. In short, my situation has been 

[89] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

such that I have been obliged to use art to conceal 
it from my own officers." 

Washington worked tirelessly over the reorganiza- 
tion of the army. He paid heed, not only to out- 
ward conditions, accoutrements, maintenance, etc., 
but he aimed to infuse a new spirit into the whole 
mass. Among his troops there were not a few wild 
fellows who led disgraceful lives. Washington issued 
an order, which read as follows: "At this time of 
public distress, men may find enough to do in the 
service of God and their country without abandon- 
ing themselves to vice and immorality. It is a noble 
cause we are engaged in. It is the cause of virtue and 
mankind. Every advantage and comfort to us and 
our posterity depend upon the vigor of our exertions; 
in short, freedom or slavery must be the result of our 
conduct. There can, therefore, be no greater induce- 
ment to men to behave well. But it may not be 
amiss to the troops to know that, if any man in ac- 
tion shall presume to skulk, hide himself, or retreat 
from the enemy without the order of his command- 
ing officer, he will be instantly shot down as an 
example of cowardice; cowards having too frequently 
disconcerted the best-formed troops by their das- 
tardly behavior." 

In camp this order of the day was attributed to 
a determination on the General's part to risk strik- 
ing a blow. And it was so. It was his intention 
to occupy Dorchester Heights, overlooking the city. 
On the night of the third to fourth of March, while 

[90] 



BEFORE BOSTON 



he heavily bombarded the city to distract the atten- 
tion of the enemy, the Heights were occupied and 
immediately fortified. This work was carried on 
with such zeal and success that the next morning 
at daybreak, when General Howe gazed up at the 
Heights, he could not conceal his amazement and 
broke out with the words: ^'The rebels have done 
more work in one night than my whole army would 
have done in one month." Washington was pre- 
pared for a furious onslaught from the enemy, for 
Dorchester Heights commanded the town and there- 
fore a repetition of the bloody fight at Bunker Hill 
was to be expected. Heavy rains for the next two 
days, however, prevented the British from advan- 
cing to the attack, while the Americans contin- 
ued their work on the fortifications industriously. 
When the storm had subsided and Howe again 
inspected the works on the Heights, he decided 
that he dare not risk an attack. There was nothing 
left for him but the bitter alternative of evacu- 
ating the city and taking to the ships with his 
whole army. Immediately afterward Washington 
entered Boston. 

The news of this event aroused the greatest joy 
all over the country. Congress determined to cause 
a gold medal, bearing the relief of Washington, to 
be coined in commemoration of the liberation of 
Boston. With a humble heart the General thanked 
God for the victory that had been won. He was 
happy in the conviction that this event would 

[91] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

strengthen the confidence of the patriots. He would 
have been glad to dispense with the honor, which 
was to be paid him, for he foresaw full well that 
the road to complete success in the establish- 
ment of independence was to be a long and 
arduous one. 



[92] 



Chapter XI 
The Declaration of Independence 

AS all their representations and petitions for 
just treatment had been made in vain, the 
Americans felt that the time had come to 
declare this to the world and to explain 
that they considered themselves absolved from all 
their duties to England and resolved to form a 
State of their own. It was a solemn moment when 
the announcement was made to the people assembled 
before the house of Congress in Philadelphia, on the 
fourth of July, 1776, that the thirteen colonies of 
America had voted for the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence and the bell rang out, upon which were 
engraved the words, "Liberty throughout the land 
to all its inhabitants!" The pealing of this bell 
awakened the neighboring bells to life, and these 
still others, so that they echoed and reechoed from 
village to village, from town to town, and thus 
within a short time the whole expectant country 
learned that the great and momentous step had been 
taken that separated it completely and irrevocably 
from the mother country; a step to which English 
tyranny had forced the American people. 

[93] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

Everywhere festivities were held to celebrate this 
great event. The inhabitants of Savannah organized 
a funeral procession and the efhgy of George the Third 
was buried in front of the State House. One of the 
citizens pronounced a formal funeral oration in which 
he said, among other things: "The King has broken 
his oath to the crown in the most shameless fashion. 
He has trodden the constitution of our country and 
the sacred rights of man under foot. For this we 
lay his political body in the grave — the corrupt 
to corruption — in the confident hope that it will 
remain buried forever and ever, and never be resur- 
rected to reign again over these free and independ- 
ent States of America." All freedom-loving people 
in Europe were in sympathy with the struggle across 
the ocean. Timid souls, to be sure, believed that 
this example would raise a storm everywhere against 
the monarchical form of government, although the 
Americans had been an example of long-suffering 
patience. Had they not striven to maintain the 
monarchical form with admirable devotion .f* What 
had they asked of the King? Only that the laws of 
the land should be respected. Laws are the foun- 
dation pillars of all government, even the monarchic. 
It is certainly true that it was King George the 
Third and his ministers who broke the tie which 
bound the colonies to England, and that the colonies 
did not declare themselves an independent nation 
until all their sincere efforts for just legislation had 
failed, owing to the obstinacy of the English govern- 

[94] 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 

ment. Instead of giving them bread it offered them 
a stone. Tyranny answered their respectful peti- 
tions with powder and lead, instead of a conciliatory 
recognition of their rights. 

The Declaration of Independence is a masterpiece 
in style and contents. The Americans did not 
invite others to follow their example; indeed they 
deprecate this, for it says: "Prudence indeed will 
dictate that governments long established should 
not be changed for light and transient causes"; but, 
on the other hand, the intention is evident, from the 
beginning of the document, of justifying their step 
before the whole world, while setting forth the true 
principles of government. It says, among other 
things : 

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a 
history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having 
in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny 
over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted 
to a candid world: 

He has combined with others to subject us to a juris- 
diction foreign to our constitutions and unacknowledged 
by our laws; giving his assent to their pretended acts of 
legislation: 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent; 

For depriving us, In many cases, of the benefits of trial 
by jury; 

For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pre- 
tended oifences; 

For abolishing the free system of English laws In a neigh- 

[95] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

boring province, establishing therein an arbitrary govern- 
ment; 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most val- 
uable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our 
governments; 

For suspending our own legislatures and declaring 
themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all 
cases whatsoever; 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out 
of his protection and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned 
our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is, at this time, transporting large armies of foreign 
mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, 
and tyranny. 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens taken captive 
on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to 
become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or 
to fall themselves by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections among us and 
has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers 
the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare 
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and 
conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned 
for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated peti- 
tions have been answered only by repeated injury. A 
prince whose character is thus marked by every act which 
may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our 

[96] 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 

British brethren. They too have been deaf to the voice 
of justice and consanguinity. We must, therefore, acqui- 
esce in the necessity which denounces our separation and 
hold them as we hold the rest of mankind — enemies in 
war — in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States 
of America, in general congress assembled, appealing to 
the Supreme Judge of the world, for the rectitude of our 
intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the 
good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare 
that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, 
free and independent States; that they are absolved from 
all allegiance to the British crown and that all political 
connection between them and the State of Great Britain 
is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. And for the sup- 
port of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the pro- 
tection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each 
other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

This Declaration of Independence, as well as the 
v^hole conduct of the Congress, won the admiration 
of the most brilliant thinkers of Europe, among them 
some who occupied thrones, but were watching 
without prejudice the progress of affairs. We shall 
mention only Frederick the Great, who, in his 
"Observations on the Condition of the European 
Governmental System," had given utterance to ideas 
on the alms of government which were in complete 
accord with those being promulgated in the forests 
of America. 

[97] 



Chapter XII 
Trying Times 



"A ■ "\HE star-spangled banner" had been raised; 
I thirteen white stars, to represent the thir- 
■ teen States, shone upon its blue field. The 
patriots must now win freedom beneath its 
folds or fall With honor. Many difficulties had been 
overcome, but still greater ones remained to be 
conquered. England was gathering all her strength 
together to subjugate the so-called rebels. New 
troops were sent to General Howe, including German 
subjects whom Great Britain had bought to use as 
executioners in America. The sale of subjects as 
mercenaries was of common occurrence during the 
heyday of the small principalities In Germany. 
The Princes of Hesse-Bayreuth-Anspach, Braun- 
schweig, and Anhalt-Zerbst were engaged in this 
traffic. Hesse provided the greatest number, so 
that the German mercenaries in America were 
generally called Hessians. In Hesse a man who 
tried to get out of trouble by running away and fell 
into the hands of the elector's spies was handcuffed 
and gagged. Complaints by his parents were 
answered by putting the father in irons and the 

[98] 



TRYING TIMES 



mother in prison. In the market-place in Cassel, 
English agents bought Hessian subjects for one hun- 
dred dollars apiece. Frederick the Great said with 
bitter irony: "Let the lords of the country not for- 
get to raise the duty on cattle also!" "No one," 
relates the celebrated Seume, "was safe from these 
traders in souls [the princes]. They tried all 
methods — persuasion, strategem, deception. Even 
strangers of all kinds were attacked, locked up, and 
exported." While his subjects were being marched 
on board ship, Alexander of Bayreuth-Anspach stood 
on the banks of the Main ready to shoot down any 
one who made an attempt to escape. • In this way 
twenty-nine thousand Germans were sold to the 
English as "food for cannon." "The thoughtful 
traveller," says an English lord, "cannot look upon 
the magnificent gardens of *Wilhelmsberg' at Cassel 
without a sigh, for the blood money of the citizens 
of Cassel and other places has been expended upon 
them." 

As we know. General Howe had been obliged to 
take refuge, with his troops, on the ships in Boston 
Harbor. It was his intention to land in another part 
of the country. Washington suspected that Howe 
had selected New York. Therefore he had sent 
the second officer in command of the American 
forces thither and he followed him in haste. Howe's 
fleet had in the meantime joined the new fleet, so 
that the enemy was greatly in excess of the Americans 
in numbers. Howe landed on Long Island near 

[99] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

New York. His object was to take that city and 
from thence cut off communications between the 
North and the South. A battle took place in which 
the Hessians especially greatly distinguished them- 
selves by their bravery. They attacked the Ameri- 
cans with such desperation that it seemed as though 
these men, so brutally torn from their homes, were 
seeking death. The Americans were defeated. They 
were even in danger, during the next few days, 
of being surrounded on the island and taken pris- 
oners. Therefore Washington determined under 
cover of night to embark with his little army. But 
while he was preparing, at dusk, for the execution 
of his plan and had given instructions to keep the 
campfires burning, in order to deceive the enemy, 
no one suspected that treason was already at work 
to destroy the American army. A lady of English 
sympathies had sent a slave to the British to carry 
them word of the movements of the Americans. 
Fortunately the slave fell into the hands of Hessian 
soldiers who stood guard at the outpost. It availed 
him nothing to declare that he had a very important 
message for General Howe. The Hessians did not 
understand a word of the language of the frantically 
gesticulating negro. They thought he might be a 
spy, so bound him and took him into custody, not 
turning him over to headquarters until next morning. 
By this time, however, his message, which would have 
been worth a fortune to General Howe the night 
before, had lost its importance, for the embarkation 
[loo] 



TRYING TIMES 



was completed and the enemy, whom he thought 
he had caught securely in a trap, had disappeared. 
Under the existing conditions Washington had acted 
for the best, and he carried out the plan of retreat 
with admirable skill. He had been on horseback for 
forty-eight hours — until all the army was embarked. 

Thus the nucleus of the American forces was 
saved, but their number was insignificant indeed 
compared with the enemy's. Many a patriot was 
full of dark forebodings and Washington passed many 
hours and days in which he was almost overwhelmed 
with fear that the good cause was doomed to defeat. 
But he was firmly resolved to remain true to it, even 
if his faithfulness should cost him his life. 

He who has dedicated himself to the service of 
his country is most faithful in its hour of need. 
After this battle on Long Island, a time of deep 
distress began for the Americans, of which we get a 
clear picture from Washington's letters. He wrote 
to the president of Congress: "Our situation is 
truly distressing. The check our detachments sus- 
tained in the battle on Long Island has dispirited 
too great a proportion of our troops and filled their 
minds with apprehension and despair. The militia, 
instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to a brave 
and manly opposition in order to repair our losses, 
are dismayed, intractable, and impatient to return. 
Great numbers of them have gone off, in some in- 
stances almost by whole regiments, by half ones, 
and by companies at a time. This circumstance of 

[lOl] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

itself, when fronted by a well-appointed enemy, 
superior in numbers to our whole collected force, 
would be sufficiently disagreeable; but when their 
example has infected another part of the army and 
destroyed all discipline, our condition is still more 
alarming. All these circumstances fully confirm 
the opinion I ever entertained that no dependence 
could be put in a militia. I am persuaded, and as 
fully convinced as I am of any one fact that has 
happened, that our liberties must of necessity be 
greatly hazarded, if not entirely lost, if their defence 
is left to any but a permanent standing army, I 
mean, one to exist during the war. Obedience, 
order, discipline are only possible with such an army." 

Two days later he wrote: "Our affairs have not 
undergone a change for the better. The militia 
under various pretences, of sickness, etc., are daily 
diminishing; and in a little time, I am persuaded, 
their number will be very inconsiderable." In spite 
of all this, he still preserved enough calmness of 
soul to say a few words in defence of the faltering 
one. He wrote to a friend: "Men just dragged from 
the tender scenes of domestic life, unaccustomed to 
the din of arms, totally unacquainted with every 
kind of military skill, when opposed to troops regu- 
larly trained, disciplined, and appointed, became 
timid and ready to fly from their own shadows. 
Besides, the sudden change in their manner of living 
brings on sickness in many and impatience in all, 
and an unconquerable desire of returning to their 

[102] 



TRYING TIMES 



respective homes." A few days later, however, 
when he saw his best divisions giving way before a 
small company of Hessians, he lost the composure 
which nearly always distinguished him. He dashed 
in among the fleeing men, pulled his pistols from the 
holsters, and aimed them at his own soldiers, crying, 
"Are these the men with whom I am expected to 
defend my country?" Despair seized the General. 
It seemed as though he sought death, for he drew 
rein, while his men deserted him and the enemy was 
only fifty paces distant. His adjutant seized his 
horse's bridle and led him away almost by force. 
The retreat was continued, Congress was kept in- 
formed of the situation, and at last they determined 
to raise a new body of troops. But the carrying 
out of this measure took time; men were not so 
quickly to be found, and when enlisted had to have 
some little military training. 

The enemy, on the other hand, feeling encouraged 
by their late successes, were seeking to put the finish- 
ing touch to their opponents as quickly as possible. 
Other things helped to complicate the difficulties 
with which the American army had to contend. 
There were still many secret adherents of the British 
government in the United States. They now raised 
their heads once more and tried, wherever they found 
an opportunity, to aid the English army. Some of 
the States even sent recruits to General Howe! 
Under such circumstances what other alternative 
had the General than again to play the role of 

[103] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

Fabius, to avoid the enemy, and postpone the decisive 
moment to a more favorable time? Many people, 
however, who were in sympathy with Congress, 
but did not know any particulars about the existing 
military conditions, became impatient with Wash- 
ington's tactics. The difficulty was, that a public 
explanation of the condition of affairs would have 
still more depressed the patriots and have encouraged 
the enemy in proportion. He was even attacked 
behind his back by ambitious men who, not under- 
standing the situation, united for his downfall and 
for the purpose of transferring his rank and authority 
to another. For the sake of his country he bore 
even this indignity, it never entering his mind to 
quarrel with his intriguing enemies. Instead, he 
worked indefatigably for the cause of freedom. He 
carried on by far the greater part of the business at 
headquarters without any help. His correspondence 
with Congress alone took up a good deal of his time. 
The laws that were passed in Congress had to be 
referred to the governments of the several States for 
ratification, and the manner in which the laws were 
enacted made fresh negotiations with the thirteen 
State governments necessary at every juncture. 
We Can readily see how all this complicated the work 
of the commander-in-chief, and what indefatigable 
energy, what self-control and patience were neces- 
sary not to lose sight of the end in view and not to 
fall into faults, either of rashness or negligence! In 
order to judge how comprehensive Washington's 
[104] 



TRYING TIMES 



correspondence was during the war and his public 
life afterward, we have only to learn that the letters 
written by his own hand and the answers to them, 
which were afterward carefully collected, fill two hun- 
dred folio volumes! They are a precious bequest to 
the American people. "Whoever wishes to under- 
stand the whole greatness of the Father of our 
Country, the grandeur and repose of his character, 
his unalterable aims and gigant,ic strength, must go 
to the font of his letters and reports." 

These were the work of his own pen. But besides 
these, what a work remained to be done! There was 
no end of conferences with professional men in the 
most various branches of activity. His strength 
and his time were in demand on all sides. It seems 
a marvel that a single man was able to attend to so 
many things at the same time; that misjudgment 
did not embitter him, and that the situation which 
seemed hopeless to most people did not discourage 
him. New York fell into the hands of the enemy, 
also Fort Washington, and the General had to with- 
draw his troops still farther. Lee, who tried to 
join him, was taken prisoner. 



[105 



Chapter XIII 
Washington Crosses the Delaware 

THERE are times in the history of every 
nation when "the deepest sentiments of 
the people are revealed." The young 
American nation was passing through such 
a period. Let us listen to Thomas Paine, whose writ- 
ings greatly aided the American cause. He said: 
"These are the times that try men's souls. The 
summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this 
crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he 
that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks 
of man and woman. It is astonishing to see how 
suddenly a panic arises and how rapidly it spreads 
throughout the country. Every nation is, at tirnes, 
subject to such panics, but they have their good side. 
The panic is of short duration and the heart is then 
firmer and more determined. Such panics are the 
touchstone of sincerity and hypocrisy." And truly 
this period of hardship was of real advantage to the 
country, for the unreliable elements came to light, 
while the true patriots were the more clearly rec- 
ognized. Congress gave expression to its renewed 
confidence in Washington's ability by making him 
[106I 



CROSSES THE DELAWARE 

independent dictator of the military forces for six 
months. Before, however, the news of this proof of 
confidence reached him, he had proceeded to the 
execution of a daring plan, by the success of which 
he hoped greatly to strengthen the courage of some 
and remove the faint-heartedness of others. 

December had set in with great severity, so that 
the British were not anxious to follow up their 
victories. Howe went into winter quarters with his 
regiments, thinking that he could afford to wait for 
a more favorable season before beginning to stamp 
out the expiring sparks of the rebellion. In the dis- 
position of the troops at winter quarters the same 
method was pursued as in the attacks. The Hessians 
were placed at the front. Washington, who had 
made the necessary observations of the situation of 
the enemy, learned that the Hessians lay twelve or 
fifteen miles the other side of the Delaware River, 
in and about Trenton. Washington's whole army 
consisted of seven thousand men. These he divided 
into three columns, which were to cross the Delaware 
simultaneously at three diflferent points and attack 
the enemy. Christmas night was chosen for the 
attempt. Washington, at the head of the first 
column of twenty-four hundred men, whom he had 
chosen to lead himself, arrived at the river as night 
fell. A fierce north wind drove snow and hail into 
the faces of the Americans and the water was full 
of floating ice. Under these circumstances, crossing 
the river was not only difficult, but very dangerous. 

[107] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

Washington had counted upon reaching the other 
side by midnight. On such a night and against such 
odds of storm and ice this was impossible, and it was 
not until three o'clock that the last of the troops were 
landed. The column carried twenty field pieces 
with them. About four o'clock all was in order and 
the march on Trenton began. The storm continued 
to rage. How was this march to end.^ They were 
to meet an enemy of ten times their strength who, 
in case they had learned of the plan, would doubtless 
have taken up favorable positions to receive them. 
It was uncertain whether the .other two columns had 
been able to cross. (Later it was found that they 
had not crossed until several hours later.) Toward 
eight o'clock the vanguard of the first column was 
greeted with rifle shots which gave the alarm to the 
division of Hessians occupying Trenton. They had 
scarcely assembled before Washington appeared 
before the city and began the attack. They made, 
at first, a gallant defence, but when their colonel fell, 
they laid down their arms. Thus about one thousand 
men, among them twenty-four officers, fell into the 
hands of the Americans. Several hundred men 
saved themselves by flight, which would not have 
occurred had the other two columns of Washington's 
forces succeeded in crossing the river in time to 
occupy the bridges according to his orders. 

Discretion led him for the present to be satisfied 
with the success already won. The enemy was in 
the neighborhood with the bulk of his forces and 

[108I 



CROSSES THE DELAWARE 

it was to be expected would immediately try to 
wipe out the disgrace it had suffered. Washington 
recrossed the Delaware. This daring feat, crossing 
the river and the successful battle at Trenton, had 
magical effect upon thousands of citizens. Wherever 
the captured Hessians were taken the people turned 
out to see them. They had shown themselves to be 
the most dangerous foes of the Americans in battle. 
They had become brutalized through war, and misery 
had led them into committing many deeds of violence 
in the towns and country. The prisoners were now 
in danger of having the vengeance of the people 
visited upon them for the outrages committed by 
them or their comrades. Washington issued a mani- 
festo in which he explained that these men had not 
voluntarily come to America to fight against the 
liberties of the people, but were the victims of the 
tyranny of a prince, who had sold them like cattle, 
wherefore he bespoke pity for them instead of 
revengeful feelings. His appeal had the desired 
effect. 

In the meantime Washington learned that instead 
of pursuing him, the British had retired. He then 
determined to risk a second blow. Four days after 
the first attempt he crossed the Delaware again. 
General Howe sent Lord Cornwallis with eight 
thousand men against him. Washington took up a 
strong position and repulsed several attacks of the 
British. Lord Cornwallis was full of confidence, for, 
in the first place, his army was greatly in excess of 

[109] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

the enemy's in numbers and besides he was expecting 
reinforcements. So, as he expressed it, he thought 
he had caught the fox in his lair. He did not dream 
that Washington had no intention of remaining at 
the fortified place until it should please his excellency. 
Lord Cornwallis, to attack him with his reinforced 
army. To be sure the campfires still blazed through 
the night upon the spot which had been occupied 
by the Americans the day before; but when morn- 
ing dawned and Cornwallis looked upon the empty 
lair with astonishment and disgust, Washington, who 
had marched around him with his troops, was in 
his rear at Princeton, several miles away. There 
he fell upon the reinforcements intended for Lord 
Cornwallis, three British regiments, and a fierce 
encounter took place. The British defended them- 
selves desperately and for quite a while the outcome 
was uncertain. The danger for the Americans was 
growing greater every moment. The fact of finding 
the camp deserted in the morning, together with 
the distant cannonading, must long ago have en- 
lightened Cornwallis as to the enemy's movements. 
Suppose that he should come up and attack the 
Americans in the rear, while they were still engaged 
in the struggle with his reinforcements! They 
must gain the victory and that right soon. The 
Americans, who had been greatly encouraged by 
the victory at Trenton four days previously, fought 
with wonderful intrepidity. They were inspired 
too by the ardor of their General. Wherever the 
[no] 



CROSSES THE DELAWARE 

fight was fiercest, he was to be seen. That tall, 
manly figure, glowing with the fire of battle, was a 
magnificent sight. Often the General was lost to 
the view of his anxious men amid the smoke of battle, 
and they trembled at the thought of what would 
become of the cause if death should overtake him 
now. Such superhuman efforts could not fail of 
success. The enemy fied, leaving five hundred men 
dead and wounded on the battlefield and three hun- 
dred more prisoners in the power of the enemy. 
Washington's soldiers were wonderfully elated. One 
of them wrote shortly afterward : *' We felt as though 
resurrected from the dead. Recruits flocked into 
our lines, old soldiers reenlisted." Another soldier 
wrote of Washington's conduct in the battle: "The 
army loves the General mightily; but one thing 
they criticise about him — he is too careless of his 
person in every battle. His personal courage and 
the wish to enkindle his troops by his own example 
makes him forget all danger." Washington now 
went into winter quarters in the mountainous region 
about Morristown, took up an invulnerable position, 
and continued to molest the enemy by sending out 
marauding parties, to such an extent that they 
found it necessary to withdraw from the neighbor- 
hood. 

In Europe also, before the crossing of the Dela- 
ware, the American cause was considered lost. Now 
confidence that America would be able to establish 
her independence was reawakened both at home 

[III] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

and abroad. In France there was an enthusiastic 
espousal of the cause of the American people and 
their heroic General. Even in England many gave 
Washington the honorable title of the American 
Fabius. 



[112] 



Chapter XIV 
Lafayette — Kosciuszko — Steuben 

FRANCE was the country where enthusiasm for 
America was first kindled and where it burned 
most brightly. The struggle of a people for 
their liberties found great sympathy there, 
because the French people had for a long time suf- 
fered deeply under the misrule of the Bourbons, and 
the discontent was already brewing which, a few 
years later, led to such a terrible outbreak. There 
are those who put the American war for independence 
and the French revolution in the same category. 
But what a gulf there is between the two historical 
events! The cause, tyranny of the ruler, was the 
same In both Instances, but the conduct of the revo- 
lution, the aim and consequences, were as different 
from one another as the Anglo-Saxon character is 
from that of the Latin. We must again recall the 
fact that the Americans had been anxious for a long 
time to reestablish the old ties, which had been so 
recklessly loosened by the rulers, on a constitutional 
basis, and that it was not until they had exhausted 
every possible means of reconciliation, and until the 
government had closed every avenue of legal justice 

[113] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

against them that they set to work to create a new 
constitution for themselves. In all their operations 
they never so far forgot themselves as to misuse the 
property of the church; on the contrary, their action 
was consecrated by religion. It was and remained 
their standard in the creation of a new constitution. 
What a contrast to the French people, who, in break- 
ing the fetters of their slavery, overthrew the altars 
of religion at the same time! America gained her 
liberties in a reverent spirit, through earnest work; 
while France, possessed by madness, rent herself 
and did not succeed in shaking off the bonds of 
tyranny, though under new circumstances it gave 
itself grandiose names to deceive itself and others. 
What do the differing manifestations of the popular 
spirit mean.^ The Americans belong to the great 
Anglo-Saxon race, which has a deeply religious spirit. 
To them the laws of government mean a reflection 
of the eternal laws which find their expression in 
religion. Their object is to bring the laws of the 
State into harmony with the tenets of religion; to 
make it an animating and illuminating force in the 
life of the State. Thus in seeking to develop earthly 
life they draw from a divine source. It is different 
with the Latin race, in whom this deep religious 
strain is absent. This is most clearly apparent in 
the French nation. They have had many political 
revolutions without gaining any permanent constitu- 
tional advantages, and they will probably continue 
to teach the world that a people, however talented 

[114] 



LAFAYETTE — STEUBEN 

they may be in some directions, will nevertheless 
never reach the harbor of a well-ordered political 
status unless the aspiration dwell within them con- 
tinually to purify and elevate their moral condition 
by serious examination of themselves. 

This criticism refers to the French people as a 
whole. That there were excellent individuals among 
them no one will dispute, and these were full of 
enthusiasm for the struggle for liberty in the forests 
of America. One of the noblest among them was 
Lafayette. He was nineteen years old, an officer, 
handsome, rich, happily married, and his family 
was one of the most influential in France. He had 
the prospect of a brilliant position at court, but he 
despised the luxurious life there. It was revolting 
to him to see how the taxes, which were squeezed out 
of the people, were wasted, and as the frivolous and 
bewildering Parisian life was very distasteful to him, 
he had retired to live on one of his estates far from 
the capital, where he passed happy days in the society 
of his beautiful, amiable, and well-educated wife. 
But his love of liberty urged him continually to 
devote himself to the great work of emancipation. 
Botta tells us: "Filled with the enthusiasm which 
great events usually inspire in noble natures, he 
made the cause of the Americans his own with that 
peculiar ardor which possessed most people at that 
time and particularly the French. He felt it to be 
just and sacred. Burning with the desire to take 
part in the struggle, he had laid his plan of going to 

[IIS] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

their country before the American ambassadors in 
Paris, and they had confirmed him in his resolution. 
But when they received news of the disasters on 
Long Island and were almost in despair of the success 
of the revolution, they were honorable enough to 
advise him not to go. They even told him that in 
the terrible situation in which they were placed, they 
did not have the means to fit out a ship to carry him 
to America. The undismayed young man is said to 
have answered that now was the time when their 
cause most needed help; that his departure would 
have all the more effect because the people were so 
discouraged; and finally, that if they could not pro- 
vide a ship for him, he should fit one out at his 
own expense. What he had said came to pass. The 
world was amazed. This decision on the part of a 
man of such rank gave rise to all kinds of rumors. 
The French court, perhaps because it did not wish 
to offend England, forbade the marquis to embark. 
It was even said that ships had been sent out to 
capture him in the waters of the Antilles. In spite 
of all this, he tore himself from the arms of his lovely 
young wife and set sail." Lafayette landed safely 
in America and presented himself immediately before 
the president of Congress. Shortly before this there 
had been some unfortunate experiences with French- 
men. French officers had presented themselves 
with high pretensions to rank and compensation. 
Lafayette offered to serve as a common soldier and 
to pay his own expenses. His bearing and appear- 
[ii61 



LAFAYETTE — STEUBEN 

ance immediately won the confidence of the earnest 
men in Congress, and he was accorded the rank of 
major-general. Washington received him at head- 
quarters with open arms, and a particularly intimate 
friendship sprang up between them, which was 
terminated only by death. Lafayette found many 
opportunities of proving his capabilities on the 
battlefield. 

A noble Pole, the celebrated Thaddeus Kosciuszko, 
also dedicated his sword to the American struggle 
for independence. From youth he had been distin- 
guished by a noble and generous nature. At the 
Institute for Cadettes at Warsaw he soon surpassed 
all his fellow students through his indefatigable 
devotion to his studies. As an officer, he became 
acquainted with the daughter of the rich and aristo- 
cratic Marshal of Lithuania, Joseph Sosnowsky, and 
was soon hopelessly enamoured of her. Both of them 
were young, handsome, intellectual, and full of enthu- 
siasm for all that was good and beautiful, seemingly 
created for each other. Her father thought other- 
wise, for he wished for a son-in-law of rank and 
wealth. On his knees and with tears, Kosciuszko 
begged the marshal for his consent to the union of 
their hearts. Insolent words and threats were his 
answer. In vain the marshal's wife and daughter 
threw themselves at his feet. He threatened to put 
his daughter in a convent. Then the lovers resolved 
to fly together. The execution of the plan took 
place on a dark night, but their secret was betrayed 

[117] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

and the marshal sent a number of armed horsemen 
after the pair. A struggle took place and Kosciuszko, 
seriously wounded, sank to the ground. When he 
awakened after a swoon of several hours, he found 
himself lying in his own blood. Beside him lay a 
white veil which his beloved had lost in the moment 
of danger. This he kept and wore always as a sacred 
treasure upon his person in all his battles. Kos- 
ciuszko came to America to triumph or die in the 
war for independence. He presented himself, with- 
out means or any letters of introduction whatever, 
to the commander-in-chief, General Washington. 
"What do you wish to do.^" asked the General, who 
was always laconic. *'I have come to fight as a 
volunteer for the independence of America," was 
the equally short and fearless answer. "What are 
you capable of doing .^" the General asked further, 
and Kosciuszko answered v/ith his characteristic 
noble simplicity: "Put me to the test." It was done, 
and Washington soon recognized the abilities of the 
noble Pole. With the rank of colonel, he was on the 
staff of several generals. When the British were pur- 
sued on their retreat from Philadelphia, Kosciuszko, 
at the head of a band of volunteers, performed 
marvels of valor. Lafayette, who was chief in com- 
mand of that section of the army which was pursu- 
ing the enemy, asked, on the evening of that fierce 
day's work, who the leader of those volunteers was. 
Some one told him: "He is a young Pole of noble 
lineage, but poor. His name, if I am not mistaken, 
[Ii8] 



LAFAYETTE— STEUBEN 

is Kosciuszko." The volunteers were encamped 
about a half hour's ride distant. Lafayette galloped 
thither straightway, had Kosciuszko's tent pointed 
out to him, and entered it. There he found the hero, 
still covered with dust and blood, sitting at a table, 
his head resting on his arm and with a map spread 
out before him. From that time the two were close 
friends. 

We must also mention a German who played a 
prominent role in the war for independence — Baron 
Steuben. He was a graduate of the Prussian military 
academy, the foremost one in Europe, as Washington 
declared, and in him America had a General who 
was able to accomplish wonders in discipline. With- 
out understanding a word of English he undertook 
the ofhce of inspector-general which was offered him, 
and he understood how to train these free men so 
that a word or a look was sufficient to carry out 
his orders with absolute precision. Later the govern- 
ment made him a present of twenty-six thousand 
acres, "for the eminent services rendered to the 
United States during the war," and on this property 
he settled down. Like him, many Germans had 
come to America to help complete the great task of 
the emancipation of a people from tyranny. Whole 
regiments were formed of German immigrants and 
American descendants of Germans, and these Wash- 
ington considered among his most daring and reliable 
troops. 

[119] 



Chapter XV 
Peace is Declared 



IT was a seven years' holy war which the Ameri- 
cans were obliged to wage. Dark times were 
still to follow, times in which, even among the 
best men, the belief in a successful outcome 
was shaken. In regard to military organization and 
discipline there was still much to be desired, for the 
measure of it which had been successfully introduced 
by Baron Steuben had not immediately permeated 
the whole army. Indeed the whole military body 
was as yet only in process of formation and at the 
same time the situation was such that unprecedented 
feats of endurance had to be required of the soldiers. 
They were very badly off in the matter of arms 
and other necessaries. Often even proper food was 
wanting. Clothing and weapons were scarce. Con- 
gress had been obliged to resort to the introduction 
of paper money, which was copied in England, sent 
over in quantities, and by this means reduced in value. 
As the enemy commanded the seas and occupied 
first one part of the country, then another, taking 
possession relentlessly of whatever they wanted, 
trade and commerce were extinguished and misery 
[120] 



PEACE IS DECLARED 



and want were prevalent among the inhabitants. 
What would have happened had the country not 
possessed in Washington a commander whose example 
was always an inspiration to others and whose words 
of wisdom always appealed to hearts and heads! 
In war the soldier is readily inclined, especially 
when he is in need, to take possession of whatever 
seems necessary or desirable by ^ force. We read 
of wars in which the peaceable inhabitants suffer 
equally from friend and foe in this respect. Even 
Congress closed an eye when it became known that 
parts of the American army had taken forcible posses- 
sion of provisions. Not so the commander-in-chief. 
In this matter also he strove for the just and the 
right course. He urged Congress to regulate the 
supplies for the army and showed the unfortunate 
consequences which must ensue if it became their 
custom to take possession of the necessaries of life by 
force. "Such a proceeding," he says, in one of his 
letters, "must, even though it should afford tem- 
porary relief, have the most disastrous consequences 
eventually. It spreads discontent, hatred, and fear 
amongst the people, and never fails, even among the 
best disciplined troops, to fan the flame of degeneracy, 
plunder, and robbery, which is later hard to subdue; 
and these habits become ruinous, not only to the 
populace, but especially to the army. I shall con- 
sider it as the greatest of misfortunes if we are re- 
duced to the necessity of adopting such methods." 
In spite of all this the General was continually the 

[121] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

victim of slanders. Foolish people misunderstood 
him, ambitious ones strove to procure his position. 
Like General Lee, earlier in the war. General Gates 
now schemed to supersede the commander-in-chief. 
In some parts of the army there were mutinies. To 
Congress, which demanded relentless punishment, 
Washington said: *'One must consider that the 
soldiers are not made of stone or wood, invulnerable 
to hunger and thirst, frost and snow." It sometimes 
happened that the roads were marked with the 
bloody footprints of the soldiers, who v/ere mostly 
without shoes even in winter! But at the same 
time he appealed to the soldiers, explained to them 
with urgent words the situation of their country, 
the dignity of their profession, and the demands 
which the country had a right to make on them. 
Among other things he said: "Our profession is the 
most chaste of any; even the shadow of a fault 
sullies the purity of our praiseworthy deeds." While 
appealing thus to the better elements in human 
nature, he had the satisfaction of seeing that his 
procedure was meeting with success. The iron 
hand of severity and its attendant horrors he kept 
for the most extreme cases, but in these he let the 
military laws take their course inexorably. Muti- 
neers were sometimes shot and spies were delivered 
up to the rope. 

In the Fall of 1777 the fortunes of war were twice 
in quick succession favorable to the British in the 
battles of the Brandywine and Germantown. A 

[122] 



PEACE IS DECLARED 

second British army under Burgoyne was to advance 
from Canada. Washington had sent a division to 
meet him under Gates and Arnold. An engagement 
took place which was undecided, but soon after- 
ward, at Saratoga, the British general was obliged to 
capitulate and Congress was notified that: "This for- 
tunate day's work has given us six generals and five 
thousand soldiers, five thousand guns and twenty- 
seven cannon, with their ammunition. During the 
campaign we have, besides, taken two thousand 
prisoners, among them several of the higher officers." 
This success ripened a project which had been 
under consideration for a long time: an alliance with 
France. It was not love of the newly constructed 
nation that induced the French government to 
declare herself openly as an ally of America, but 
hatred of England, whom she wished to weaken as 
much as possible. Joy was great among the Ameri- 
can people over the conclusion of the alliance. How- 
ever, comparatively little was done by France, who, 
moreover, intended to reimburse herself, for the 
assistance rendered, by acquiring lands. The Ameri- 
cans, after all, had to rely principally on their own 
exertions and resources. As England now had two 
enemies to contend with, she redoubled her efforts 
with great vigor. General Howe, who for years had 
been boasting and had so often announced that in a 
short time the rebels would be completely routed, 
but had never reached this goal, was recalled and 
replaced by General Clinton. To a greater extent 

[123] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

than had ever been done before, the Indian tribes 
of the Iroquois and Creeks were urged by British 
agents to undertake marauding expeditions in the 
American settlements. They even offered them- 
selves as leaders of these murderous bands. They 
spread fire and murder through the American colo- 
nies to the full extent of their power. The conse- 
quence was a campaign in which the colonists 
sought to revenge themselves. But this was not 
the only result. The resistance of the Americans 
was inflamed by the fact that the British had let 
loose these bands of savages, who practised many 
unheard-of cruelties even against women and girls. 
Patriotism had been awakened in the breasts of the 
women, and a youth or man who did not show him- 
self ready to serve his country was now looked upon 
with scorn. 

There were many battles in which first one side, 
then the other, gained the advantage. At last, 
through clever generalship, Washington, who had 
the French troops also under his command, was 
successful in shutting up General Cornwallis in York- 
town. Having had several successes the British 
general had become too daring and had ventured too 
far to the front. By means of counter marches 
Washington managed to conceal his intentions from 
General Clinton very successfully. Cornwallis' cry 
for help reached the British commander too late: 
"I cannot hold Yorktown for any length of time. 
If you cannot relieve me, you may expect the worst." 

[124] 



PEACE IS DECLARED 

The engagement was opened with the combined 
forces and soon afterward, October 19, 1781, Corn- 
wallis capitulated. Nearly eight thousand of the 
British were taken captive and two hundred cannon 
were seized. Not a prisoner was harmed, although 
it was well known that a short time before this 
American prisoners had been murdered by the 
British. 

Everywhere the conviction spread that American 
independence was assured! Lafayette, who had 
greatly distinguished himself in leading a storming 
column, wrote to Count Maurepas: "The piece is 
played out, the fifth act is just ended." On receiving 
the news, Franklin said: "Hearty thanks for the 
glorious news. The young Hercules has strangled 
his second serpent in the cradle 1" In England also 
it was recognized more and more that " the colonies 
cannot again be brought under our dominion! " A 
new ministry took the reins, negotiations were 
begun, and at last, on September 3, 1783, peace 
was formally declared between Great Britain and 
the American Republic, whose independence was 
thereby recognized. 



[125] 



Chapter XVI 
Washington s Farewell to the Army 

AMERICA was free. It had won its freedom 
by an heroic struggle. And now came the 
task of making a wise use of this freedom. 
One who had contemplated the character of 
the American people, as it had revealed itself during 
the preliminaries to the war and during its prog- 
ress, must have said to himself: "A circumspect 
and therefore secure procedure in the affairs of the 
new government is to be expected from a people of 
such character!" And yet, immediately after the 
conclusion of peace, the republic was in great danger. 
The nucleus of the army consisted of men who for 
years had been weaned from the occupations of 
peace. Congress had granted them a bonus of sev- 
eral years' pay, but after that the prospect remained 
of their being obliged to return to their former 
occupations. This did not suit them. They had 
had an opportunity of comparing their position with 
that of the French soldiers with whom they had 
fought side by side. In the French army the officers 
were in great part young nobles, to whom the pro- 
fession of arms was a sort of charitable institution 
fi261 



FAREWELL TO ARMY 

and haven of refuge. What a contrast between these 
gold-embroidered marquises, counts, and cadets and 
the plainly dressed officers of the American army. 
In their outward appearance the American officers 
could not even compare with the common French 
soldiery, the spruce musketeers and grenadiers of the 
French line. Thus the American soldiers, thinking 
more of their own advantage and position than of 
the general good, considering that the soldier would 
be better off if the country were ruled by a king, 
conceived the wish that the free form of govern- 
ment which had arisen during the war should be set 
aside and a monarchical form substituted for it. If 
this had been the general demand of the country, 
there would have been nothing to be said against 
it. The discussion as to whether the republican or 
monarchic form of government is the better is an 
idle one. Nations have lived happily under one as 
well as the other. The happiness of a people does 
not depend on a particular form of government so 
much as on the respect for law and on the self- 
sacrificing devotion of individuals to the welfare of 
the State. The wish for a monarchy proceeded only 
from the selfish desires of one class. Of course if 
they wished to carry out their plan, it was neces- 
sary to fix upon some prominent man, and who else 
should this be but Washington? A reputable officer, 
Colonel Lewis Nicola, was appointed to notify the 
commander-in-chief of the wishes of the army. He 
did this very tactfully in a letter. A constitution 

[127] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

with a king at the head, he said, was the best form 
of government for America. Washington was re- 
quested to work toward this end, taking at first a 
more modest title and later calling himself king. 

For many a man in the General's position this 
would have been a temptation impossible to resist. 
With a consenting nod, the army would have pro- 
claimed the commander-in-chief king. If the army 
had made him king, to be sure, he would then have 
been obliged to come to their terms. There is no 
doubt that had Washington obeyed that voice his 
fame would have been sullied for all time. The 
majority would have been coerced for the sole pur- 
pose of ministering to the selfishness of the minority. 
Foundation principles expressing the will of the 
majority had already been formulated during the 
terrible struggle and were sealed with the heart's 
blood of the nation, and in this constitution a crown 
had no place. Frankly considered, what was now 
proposed to Washington was that he should make 
himself guilty of treason to the people. The most 
zealous fighter against the destruction of constitu- 
tional government was expected to commit this 
detestable crime. 

As the witches had shown Macbeth a golden circlet, 
so now Washington was tempted with a sparkling 
crown. Ah! but he was not a Macbeth. Ambitious 
greed held no place in his great and pure soul. "This 
will I give you, if you will sin; the greatness of your 
fortunes shall be worthy of the greatness of the 

[128] 



FAREWELL TO ARMY 

crime!" Thus, though disguised in innocent form, 
read the words of the venomous old serpent of ambi- 
tion, the liar, the destroyer of human happiness. 
Not for a moment did Washington allow himself to 
become entangled in the web of temptation. He 
immediately sent the following answer to the colonel: 
"With a mixture of great surprise and astonish- 
ment, I have read with attention the sentiments you 
have submitted to my perusal. Be assured, sir, no 
occurrence in the course of this war has given me 
more painful sensations than your information of 
there being such ideas existing in the army as you 
have expressed, and which I must view with abhor- 
rence and reprehend with severity. For the present 
the communication of them will rest in my own 
bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter 
shall make a disclosure necessary. I am much at a 
loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have 
given encouragement to an address which to me 
seems big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall 
my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge 
of myself, you could not have found a person to 
whom your schemes are more disagreeable. At the 
same time, in justice to my own feelings, I must add 
that no man possesses a more serious wish to see 
ample justice done to the army than I do; and as 
far as my power and influence, in a constitutional 
way, extend, they shall be employed to the utmost 
of my abilities to effect it, should there be any occa- 
sion. Let me conjure you, then, if you have any 

[129] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

regard for your country, concern for yourself or 
posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts 
from your mind and never communicate, as from 
yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the like 
nature." 

In the same spirit he took his farewell of the army 
in announcing the declaration of peace. After he 
had recalled the heroic deeds whicfi they had done 
on the battlefield, he paid his tribute to them for the 
manner in which they had discarded all narrow 
provincial prejudices, made up, as they were, of the 
greatest variety of elements, and had become a har- 
monious body, a patriotic brotherhood. He urged 
them to maintain in times of peace the reputa- 
tion which they had won; that his friends should 
not forget that thrift, wisdom, and industry, the 
virtues of the citizen in private life, were not less 
valuable than the brilliant qualities of courage, 
endurance, and initiative in war; that officers and 
men should live amicably with the other citizens 
and strive with all their might to preserve and 
strengthen the government of the United States. 
If this should not be done, the honor and dignity of 
the nation would be lost forever. 

He took particular leave of his officers at a ban- 
quet. Taking his glass of wine in his hand he said: 
"With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take 
leave of you, most devoutly wishing that your latter 
days may be as prosperous and happy as your former 
ones have been glorious and honorable." After 

[130] 



FAREWELL TO ARMY 

lifting the wine to his lips and drinking a farewell 
benediction, he added, while his voice trembled with 
emotion: "I cannot come to each of you to take 
my leave, but shall be obliged if each of you will 
come and take me by the hand." With deep emo- 
tion General Knox, who stood nearest to the Gen- 
eral, went to him and held out his trembling hand. 
Overcome by his feelings, Washington could not 
speak a word and could only embrace the General 
affectionately. The other officers followed and not 
an eye remained dry. 

There had been some men in Congress who, 
considering the ominous examples in history, had 
not been free of anxiety lest Washington might not 
easily relinquish his powerful position after peace had 
been won. They were now reassured. At a solemn 
session of Congress he laid down his office. In the 
address which he gave on this occasion he said, 
among other things: "Happy in the confirmation of 
our independence and sovereignty and pleased with 
the opportunity afforded the United States of becom- 
ing a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction 
the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffi- 
dence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, 
which, however, was superseded by a confidence 
in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the 
supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of 
Heaven. The successful termination of the war 
has verified the most sanguine expectations; and 
my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, 

[131] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

and the assistance I have received from my country- 
men, increases with every view of the momentous 
contest." In closing he said: "I consider it as an 
indispensable duty to close this last act of my official 
life by commending the interests of our dearest 
country to the protection of Almighty God, and those 
who have the superintendence of them to His Holy 
keeping. Having now finished the work assigned 
me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bid- 
ding an affectionate farewell to this august body, 
under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer 
my commission and take my leave of all the employ- 
ments of public life." 

Washington then handed his marshal's staif to the 
president. The president replied to the address, 
and said, among other things: "Having defended 
the standard of liberty in this new world; having 
taught a lesson useful to those who inflict and to 
those who feel oppression, you retire from the great 
theatre of action with the blessings of your fellow 
citizens. But the glory of your virtues will not 
terminate with your military command. It will 
continue to animate remotest ages. We join you in 
commending the interests of our dearest country to 
the protection of Almighty God, beseeching Him to 
dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve 
the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy 
and respectable nation!" 

Before his departure Washington sent a letter to 
General Steuben, in which he cordially acknowledged 

[132] 



FAREWELL TO ARMY 

the debt which America owed to him and his German 
countrymen for the effective assistance rendered in 
the work of freeing the colonies, and he added that 
Steuben might consider him a true friend and be 
assured that if there should be any opportunity of 
giving practical proof of this friendship, he should 
not fail to do so. 

Washington refused any remuneration and ac- 
cepted only compensation for the expenses and outlay 
which he had incurred, presenting an account which 
contained the smallest details of his expenses. 

Then this great, wise, and good man returned to 
his country seat at Mount Vernon to pass the rest 
of his life in quiet retirement. His manner of life 
there is best shown by a letter which he wrote to 
Lafayette: "At length I am become a private 
citizen, free from the bustle of a camp and the busy 
scenes of public life. I am solacing myself with those 
tranquil enjoyments of which the soldier, who is 
ever in pursuit of fame, the statesman, whose watch- 
ful days and sleepless nights are spent in devising 
schemes to promote the welfare of his own, perhaps 
the ruin of other countries, as if this globe was insuffi- 
cient for us all, and the courtier, who is always watch- 
ing the countenance of his prince, in hopes of catching 
a gracious smile, can have very little conception. 
Envious of none, I am determined to be pleased with 
all; and this, my dear friend, being the order of my 
march, I will move gently down the stream of life, 
until I sleep with my fathers." 

[133] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

Hospitality was one of the principal virtues prac- 
tised at Mount Vernon. "A glass of wine and a 
piece of mutton are always to be had," wrote Wash- 
ington to Lafayette. "Whoever is satisfied with 
these will always be welcome; if he expects more 
he will be disappointed." 

Private persons as well as the government had 
vainly tried to induce Washington to accept a reward 
for his services. A stock company which had been 
formed, on Washington's advice, to make two rivers 
navigable, received the approval of Congress for its 
work. The opportunity was seized as a new means 
of rewarding him, for he was responsible for the 
drawing up of the well-considered plan. The board 
of directors determined to turn over to him 150 
shares at 100 pounds sterling each. The presenta- 
tion was made in such a way that Washington 
feared that a refusal to accept might be construed 
as a lack of respect. Therefore he accepted the 
shares, adding, however, that he intended to use 
them for the public welfare. And in his will we 
read that he set aside that sum for the building 
of a university in the central part of the United 
States. 



[134 




w 



"ASHINGTON AS PROPRIETOR 



Chapt 



er XVII 
Last Days 



WASHINGTON had enjoyed the pleasures 
of retirement on his estate for four years 
when his country again claimed his serv- 
ices for the general good and he was 
unanimously elected President of the United States. 
He had misgivings as to his ability to fulfil the duties 
of the highest office in the government. His success 
in the military field, he argued, did not guarantee 
that he was capable of becoming a wise administra- 
tor. The people, however, thought otherwise. In the 
countless decrees and orders which Washington had 
issued during the long period of the war, the great 
statesman had been apparent as well as the great 
general. And especially at the moment when the 
constitution, which had been amended in the mean- 
while, was to receive its first trial, every one felt that 
no hand could hold the rudder of State so securely 
as Washington's. His friends urged him to sacrifice 
his love of private life once more for his country. 
He hesitatingly accepted. "To-day," he writes in 
his diary on April i6, 1789, "I bade farewell to 
private life and domestic felicity. I am so over-. 

[135] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

whelmed with care and painful emotion that words 
fail me to express it. I have set out on the journey 
to New York to obey the call of my country with the 
best intentions to serve her in every possible way, 
but with poor prospect of fulfilling her expectations." 

His journey resembled a triumphal procession. 
The inhabitants of Trenton paid him particular 
honors, in remembrance of his memorable crossing 
of the Delaware twelve years previously. Tri- 
umphal arches were erected on the bridge, bearing 
appropriate inscriptions, and little girls in white 
dresses strewed the path which the ^'choice of the 
people" was to tread with flowers. A gayly deco- 
rated vessel, guided by thirteen pilots in the name 
of the thirteen States, brought him into New York 
Harbor. The love of the people touched and en- 
couraged him, but did not suffice to quite banish 
the burden of care which the contemplation of all 
the difficulties which were awaiting him had laid 
upon him. It was to be read in his face and in his 
whole bearing. He said in his inaugural address: 

" It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this 
first ofiicial act my fervent supplications to that 
Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who 
presides in the councils of nations, and whose provi- 
dential aids can supply every human defect that 
His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and 
happiness of the people of the United States, a 
government instituted by themselves for these 
essential purposes, and may enable every instru- 

[136] 



LAST DAYS 



ment employed in its administration to execute with 
success the functions allotted to his charge. In 
tendering this homage to the great Author of every 
public and private good, I assure myself that it 
expresses your sentiments, not less than my own, 
nor those of my fellow citizens at large less than 
either. No people can be bound to acknowledge 
and adore the invisible hand which conducts the 
affairs of men more than the people of the United 
States." The close says: "There is no truth more 
thoroughly established than that there exists in the 
economy and course of nature an indissoluble union 
between virtue and happiness, between duty and 
advantage, between the genuine maxims of an 
honest and magnanimous policy and the solid 
rewards of the public prosperity and felicity. Since 
we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious 
smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation 
that disregards the eternal rules of order and right 
which Heaven itself has ordained, and since the 
preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the 
destiny of the republican model of government are 
justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked 
on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the 
American people." 

He wrote to his friend Lafayette: "Harmony, 
honesty, industry, and temperance are the qualities 
to make us a great and happy people. This path 
to the attainment of the people's happiness is as 
plain and straight as a ray of light." He would not 

[137] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

accept a salary even as President. He considered 
it a great boon to be in a position to render serv- 
ices to the State without remuneration. With grave 
earnestness he took up the labors of his position, in 
order to master the difficulties that awaited him on 
all sides. A heavy load of debt was hanging over 
the country, commerce and trade needed encourage- 
ment, and the frontiers suffered much from the 
depredations of Indian tribes. With the outbreak 
of the French revolution new difficulties arose. 
Washington considered the events in Paris a natural 
consequence of previous misgovernment, but in spite 
of his esteem for certain Frenchmen, he soon felt 
that the moral earnestness essential for the attain- 
ment of true liberty was lacking among the masses 
of the French people. His prophetic soul already 
foresaw what the end of the movement would be. 
He pointed out the erratic qualities of the French 
people and the bloody acts of revenge of which they 
were guilty and continued: "There certainly are reefs 
and sand-bars enough on which the Ship of State 
may be wrecked, and in this case a much more disas- 
trous despotism will result from the movement than 
that from which the people have suffered before." 
Whatever was sound in the French revolution was 
brought back by the French who had fought in 
America. Unfortunately the sound ide'as, as we know, 
did not long prevail, and with the reaction came 
corresponding bestial degeneration. The fate which 
overtook King Louis the Sixteenth moved Wash- 

[138] 



LAST DAYS 



ington profoundly; never in his life, those close to him 
have told us, had he been so crushed and bowed 
down as when the news of Louis' execution was 
received. The horrors in France had their echoes 
in America; clubs were formed which presented 
the claims of the French Jacobins. A picture was 
published by them with the inscription, "Washing- 
ton's Funeral," in which he was represented standing 
under the guillotine; they did not conceal their 
intention of ignoring the President and the Consti- 
tution. Washington stood firm amidst party storms, 
as he had once stood on the Delaware when storm 
and ice threatened to destroy his bark. This firm- 
ness and the further development of the bloody 
drama in France caused the extreme party in America 
gradually to lose its influence with the people and 
finally to disappear. 

Washington was elected President for the second 
time in 1793. The eight years of his administration 
were very prosperous ones. His interpretation and 
administration of the Constitution have always been 
considered the standard, among the best of his suc- 
cessors, for their actions. At the end of his second 
term, when Washington learned that the people 
really intended to confer on him for the third time 
the highest honor in the land, he begged his fellow 
citizens to put the rudder of State into younger hands, 
and in an oflicial declaration he decisively declined 
a reelection. He also took leave of the nation, at 
the same time giving them some golden words of 

[139] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

advice: "Of all the dispositions and habits which 
lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are 
indispensable supports. In vain would that man 
claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to 
subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these 
firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. 
The mere politician, equally with the pious man, 
ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume 
could not trace all their connections with private 
and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, where is 
the security for property, for reputation, for life, if 
the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, 
which are the instruments of investigation in courts 
of justice; let us with caution indulge the supposi- 
tion that morality can be maintained without reli- 
gion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence 
of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, 
reason and experience both forbid us to expect that 
national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious 
principle." 

In closing he said: "Though, in reviewing the 
incidents of my administration, I am unconscious 
of intentional error, I am, nevertheless, too sensible 
of my defects not to think it probable that I may 
have committed many errors. Whatever they may 
be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or 
mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall 
also carry with me the hope that my country will 
never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, 
after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its 

[140] 



LAST DAYS 



service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompe- 
tent abilities will be consigned to oblivion as myself 
must soon be to the mansions of rest." 

For a year and a half thereafter he led a life of 
tranquil happiness on his estate in the country. On 
the twelfth of December, 1799, during a ride, he was 
overtaken by a storm and took a severe cold. All 
treatment was unavailing. His breathing became 
very painful. He said to the doctor, with unclouded 
glance and in a calm voice, "Doctor, I die hard, but 
I am not afraid to go. I believed from my first 
attack that I should not survive it. My breath 
cannot last long." In the evening, at ten o'clock, 
he sank to eternal rest. 

His death took place December 14, 1799, in his 
sixty-eighth year. In his will Washington freed 
his slaves, providing at the same time for the old 
and infirm among them, and setting aside large 
sums for the founding of a university and of a free 
school for poor children. 



[141] 



Chapter XVIII 
Blest be His Memory 



JOHN MARSHALL announced the death of 
Washington in the House of Representatives in 
a trembling voice. The emotion with which this 
news was received was so profound that the ses- 
sion had to be suspended. In conformity with his 
expressed desire, the deceased was buried on the 
grounds of his estate, without pomp and without 
any funeral oration. Members of the order of Free 
Masons, whose noble principles he had always prac- 
tised during his lifetime, silently cast a shower of 
white roses into his grave. 

In the House of Representatives the speaker's 
chair was hung with black and the members wore 
mourning during the remainder of the session. The 
above-mentioned John Marshall pronounced a touch- 
ing eulogy on Washington and made a proposal which 
was unanimously seconded. This was that a com- 
mittee should be named to consider how best to 
honor the memory of Washington, the man who was 
"first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of 
his countrymen." 

What was the secret of the mysterious power in 

[142] 



BLEST BE HIS MEMORY 

Washington which enhanced all his talents and gave 
him control over men and events? It was reason 
ruling his passions, his modest deference to the judg- 
ment of others, his just consideration of the rights 
and claims of others, his deliberation in promises 
and undertakings, the deep earnestness of his nature, 
the respect-compelling firmness of his actions, his 
strong sense of duty in carrying out his work, the 
high regard for the voice of conscience which he 
exacted of himself even in his youth. Washington 
had a horror of gambling, which he called the source 
of all vice, the destroyer of character and health, 
the child of greed, the brother of injustice, the father 
of depravity. He looked upon war only as a means 
toward peace, for his sole object was the welfare of 
the people. His triumphs in war were in themselves 
but as dross to him if they had not guaranteed liberty 
and the assured development of the prosperity of 
the country. In making appointments to positions 
of trust he never allowed considerations of friendship 
or relationship to influence him, and even his oppo- 
nents admitted that no man's sense of justice in this 
regard was more unbending than his. How touching 
it is to note that at every stage of his glorious career 
the longing prevailed to return to the employments 
of country life, from the field of war to the shade of 
his own vine and fig tree on the banks of the Potomac, 
to escape from the publicity of official life to the 
happy domestic circle, to withdraw into the sweet 
retirement of an inner life which gave him a happi- 

[143] 



GEORGE WASHINGTON 

ness of which the ambitious soldier and the anxious 
statesman know nothing. The Christian world can 
scarcely find, in the life of a public man, another 
example of such religious conviction, such humility, 
and such a deep and sincere purpose to emulate 
Christ's example in justice, charity, brotherly love, 
moderation, and equanimity of soul. And it was 
not only his admirers who conceded to him the 
highest attributes of wisdom, moderation, and justice 
in intellectual, ethical, and political fields, but also 
his opponents amd enemies. In examining his life, 
wherever we look, the absolute sincerity of the man's 
nature is apparent. In every direction the study 
of his life gives us the most fruitful incentives and 
examples. It teaches a lesson to those who doubt 
the real power of virtue. His sterling worth eclipses 
all false brilliancy and his life has given us a higher 
standard in our judgment of the great characters 
in history, a standard which had almost been lost 
during centuries of despotism. The dazzling events 
and brilliant deeds in the life of a Napoleon low- 
ered the standard for a time, but were not able to 
destroy it. 



[144] 



:appeni3ij 



The following is a chronological statement of the 
principal events connected with this narrative: 

1732 Birth of Washington. 

1748-51 Surveyor. 

175 1 Adjutant of Virginia troops. 

1753 Commander of a military district. 
1753-54 Mission to French authorities. 

1754 Appointed lieutenant-colonel. 

1755 Braddock's defeat. 

1758 Reduction of Fort Duquesne. 

1759 Marriage. 

1775 Delegate to Continental Congress. 

1775 Appointed commander-in-chief. 

1776 British evacuate Boston. 

1776 American defeat, Long Island. 

1777 Victory of Princeton. 

1777 Defeat at Germantown. 

1778 Drawn battle at Monmouth. 
1781 Surrender of Cornwallis. 
1783 Resigned his commission. 

1787 President of Constitutional Convention. 

1789 Elected President of the United States. 

1793 Reelected President of the United States. 

1796 Farewell address to the people. 

1799 Death. 

[14s] 



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